The article I chose for this assignment included two passages from the book, The Gift of Years, by Joan D. Chittister (1936). Chittister wrote this book when she was 81 years old and it is a particularly poignant read because the book provides a realistic and an optimistic view about how we grow old.
The first passage is a chapter titled Legacy, is about living life, specifically about how one lives and has lived their life, and what one leaves behind when they are gone.
The second passage is a chapter titled Afterword. It is a reading about what one looks forward to or must learn to live with at the end of their life.
Both of these passages highlight the challenges people face every day. From the hustle and bustle of young to middle-age life, to the hustle and struggle of elder life.
I am a member of the Sandwich Generation. I am an older parent who lives between aging parents and fledgling adults. I can easily assimilate with the trials, tribulations and opportunities that are described in both of these passages; the good, the bad, and the ugly…
The first paragraph in the chapter Legacy states, ““Nothing is more dishonorable than the old, heavy with years, who have no other evidence of having lived long except age”” (p. 215), which is an extremely powerful message and it hits home with me… The passage
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We are remembered for whether or not we inspired in others a love for life and an openness to all of those who lived it with us. We will be remembered for our smiles and for our frowns, for our laughter and for our complaints, for our kindness and for our selfishness” (216). When it is all said and done, the legacy that will be remembered, the important legacy, is not the material things we amassed, rather, it is our value system that we leave behind. This is so true. This feeling aligns with one of my favorite adages: One’s character is who you are when no one is
“A book may be compared to the life of your neighbor. If it be good, it cannot last too long; if bad, you cannot get rid of it too early.” - Henry Brooke. This quote mimics Mark Aiello’s poem, comparing the first chapter of a book to someone’s childhood, or first chapter of life. Also like the quote, his poem explains how the first chapter of a book is very pleasurable, but it does not last long until the disturbing plot comes into play. Mark Aiello’s poem, “Chapter One”, is very literally about the first chapter of a novel. Furthermore, Aiello’s use of figurative language allows the reader to interpret the poem in numerous ways beyond the main idea. While analyzing the poem, the reader is permitted to compare the first chapter of a book to
The author starts off his book with a note highlighting the meaning of this book. It is as follows:
In the poem “What Are Years,” written by Marianne Moore there are two poetic devices being used in order to convey the meaning of the poem. Through the use of different figures of speech and unique forms, she discusses the different life stages a person experiences.
The theme of this novel is to look at the good you do in life and how it carries over after your death. The moral of the book is; "People can make changes in their lives whenever they really want to, even right up to the end."
She moves through all eighteen chapters by dissecting the meaning of all twelve truths labeled as “Healing Truth”. The first truth tells the reader that if God allows pain it is because there is a purpose for it. A purpose that will work out for good. The chapters are arranged in a way that the reader understands why God works the way that he does even if it does not make sense. She also chose to include how some people burden themselves with pain they themselves can bring to a halt. After all the soul searching she encourages the book ends on the twelfth Healing Truth. The twelfth of the truths explains to the reader how the only way to heal is if the “healing begins at the cross” for it is “the greatest expression of God’s love”. The writing is set up so simple and easy to understand. It is very difficult to get lost reading her book.
Stigmas and stereotypes plague modern day society. Stigmas regarding race, gender, and religion are publically fought over and receive a great deal of attention; however, stereotypes concerning old age are frequently overlooked; perceived to be just a part of our normal society. Old age is an accomplishment and an individual should be proud and ought to celebrate his or her milestones. Birthday cards often undermine the value of old age, and make-up companies, magazines, and both mainstream and social media generally discount older individuals unless advertising ways to feel, act, or appear younger. One man who defies the stigma of old age and rejoices in it is my Grandfather Marvin. Marvin is a seventy-seven-year-old male who lives in Oskaloosa,
In the poem “What Are Years?” , Moore clearly expresses her perception of life. Moore states that no one can truly understand the nature of their guilt or innocence. Everyone is “naked” to the dangers of existence.
Adulthood is the time in life when a person has reached maturity and is aware of the responsibilities that they have to take on. People’s lives are centered on their careers and relationships, leaving less time for much of anything else. Adulthood has three different stages; there is young adulthood (18-40), middle adulthood (41-65), and late adulthood (65-to death), according to Levinson’s Seasons of Life (Levinson, 2010). Individuals experience so many changes to their physical body, cognitive abilities and social development throughout different stages of life. Looking at all the differences that are experienced during these stages of development in early, middle and late adulthood. As an individual we may experience many changes in the body and the mind but the changes in
Through the first page, Steinbeck cleverly foreshadows the final chapter. Subsequently when the reader reaches the final chapter, they realise that the opening of chapter six repeats the onset of the novel. The image of the sun "climbing up to slopes of the Gabilan mountains" seems like the return to paradise.
ThThe notion of getting older, one day has too frightened me. I wonder what could I have done in the past to change the future. I reminisce of all the things I have done with the people that I love. But, at the end the day, I look forward to getting older. I look forward to the memories that I will make, which one day will be stories told between two friends or family members about their crazy grandmother Gabriella. E.B. White 's essay represents the fears that adults, but mostly parents, face when seeing children grow up and experience life the same way they once did. These nostalgic moments turn to fear of losing their youth. I believe that White 's essay is a manifestation of a mid-life crisis that fails to show what life has to offer after
At the very beginning of the novel- What is represented as being important to him? Find two quotes to illustrate this?
The elderly vary in their feelings and attitudes about growing older. A member of the older community shared that the worst thing about growing old is that there is not much future in it. However, she looks on the bright side and comments
There are a number of benefits to be found from thinking about ageing as a lifelong process and not just one that affects older people. This essay will define some of these benefits whilst backing up this reasoning with reference to the K118 material. It will then explain briefly which experiences I have had personally which have led me to responding to the question in this manner.
In today’s culture, the number of issues that the average person has to face on a daily basis, are astronomical. Millennials, in particular, have been greatly affected by this, so much so that a new phase in the human lifespan has been created just for them! Dubbed “emerging adulthood” by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, plopped smack dab in the middle of adolescence, and adulthood, this phase captures any, and all doubts that 20-29 year olds are plagued with. From their economic standing, to racial, ethnic, and identity issues, and to disabilities ranging from both mental, and physical, this phase captures every single uncertainty, fear, and qualm that one person can possibly have in a neat little package.
It gives the reader a myriad of lessons in life. To summarise one of the main themes of the book, it could be said that "The beauty of living does not lie in the number of days, hours, months or years you have left, but rather in what you chose to do with that amount of time"(Academia. edu/8055205, para 1). The protagonists, despite having different views and ideals on existentialism, had actually lived life, the way it’s supposed to be lived. Augustus Waters, In a simple line, describes his way of life as "I'm on a roller coaster that only goes up".(Green, pg 12-13)