It's challenging relating to this episode when you're only five years old, which was how old I was when it first aired. As an adult, it's more readily appreciated when you realize the power of dreams and of living your own life instead of someone else's.
I'm an ESL teacher who has taught in over five different countries. Mostly Asian ones. There is a lot that I love about Asian cultures. But one of the shortcomings is how their children are not able to choose the lives that they want; to follow their own hearts. Everything is chosen for them. When I challenge my students to follow their hearts and dreams, I sometimes see a glimmer of hope on their faces. One girl wrote to me later and told me how she felt I was the only one who believed in her. She wants to open her own bakery shop someday.
This episode deals with John Jr. Who has a natural gift and talent for poetry. It's what he loves. If you aren't doing what you love, then why are you doing it? John is given a unique opportunity to further his studies. On the other hand, he loves Mary, and he's hoping that they can get married someday.
It's ironic how often we think that certain ways of life are for everyone: find a job, get married, have kids, etc. They're not. Most people follow a pattern of obligation; of pleasing others rather than following their hearts. Robert Frost speaks of this in which he takes "the lesser known path" which has made all of the difference in his life.
Fortunately, Mary is able to see that shutting the door on John's dream isn't going to make either of them happy. People who live to please others only end up hurt and resentful. Mary is able to pass this wisdom on to Mr. Edwards. In the end, they realize that their dreams and John's are not the same, and they have no right to try and change them.
John and Mary's "relationship" is really only addressed in a couple of episodes. Television episodes didn't have long story arcs like today. If they had, this could have been stretched out so that we'd really feel the impact. We also might find someone to remind Charles of how old Mary was when he has a problem with Laura and Almanzo's engagement later on.
All in all, this is a wonderful episode. True love is about letting go. Not holding on. When you try to hold on to love, it ceases to be love. People are not possessions, which is why love and freedom are synonymous.