Final answer:
The grandmother dresses up before going on the drive as an expression of dignity and to maintain social respectability. It reflects a traditional view towards maintaining appearances in public and symbolizes an attempt to connect with society amidst the challenges of aging and changing family dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information provided spans various sources and extracts, hinting at the multiple roles and representations of grandmothers in literature and art. There are themes of aging, the shift in the relationship dynamics between grandmothers and their families, and the significant role grandmothers play in cultural and familial settings.
From the given snippets, it might be interpreted that the grandmother dresses up before going on the drive as a matter of dignity, to maintain a semblance of social order or respectability, and perhaps due to the idea that being seen in public commanded a certain presentation of oneself, particularly in earlier times. It can also reflect the changing perspectives toward grandmothers, where once superficial engagements like dancing parties were preferred, and now there's a renewed appreciation for the stories and values grandmothers impart.Importance of Grandmother's Appearance
The grandmother might dress up for the drive to feel that she is still part of the society and not detached from it due to her old age or the loneliness as depicted in the texts. Dressing up could serve as a bridge between her past vibrancy and her present condition, offering both a sense of normalcy and pride. The significance of appearances reveals the grandmother's desire to connect with the world around her, even if the reality is one of aging and seclusion.