PureVolume

What happens to you when you've gone old and withered away???

Posted April 11, 2009

This is a question which i have come across at times when i have wondered, whats the point of living if there is no freedom in practically everything we do as we are ruled by a capitalist state which has lead us to fight illegal wars, heavy unemployment, constant and 'unprepared for' recessions and above all loneliness. The aforementioned topic is greatly exemplified by the old, the Grey and the withered away. These elderly pensioners have also grown in moderation throughout the years due to innovations in medicinal practices, however what DOES happen to you when you've gone old and withered away? Have you ever wondered that? Well i have, i realised through close examination of Alan Bennett's collection of monologues called 'Talking Heads' and through documentaries, newspaper articles and through other mediums that many old people suffer in silence without any contact with other people, especially those whom never had children or couldn't have children. One monologue which really interested me was called 'A Lady of Letters' which was based around an energetic, nosy busybody known as Mrs. Ruddock who constantly sent letters to people of authority to sort out certain problems which she felt should be dealt with. Now, on the surface she could purely be deemed as a busybody know-it-all who wanted to appear better than everyone by pointing out their mistakes in their 'busy' lives, however underneath it was a call for attention. She wanted to be taken seriously so that she could have a purpose to carry out, or have a job, although all she attained was police warnings of her behaviour of 'disturbing the peace'. Finally, when she was in prison, she thrusted aside her odious mannerisms and prejudiced attitude in favour of kindness, understanding and a forgiving nature, as she encountered many other prison immates such as Bridget who was a prostitute who had killed her child accidently whilst drunk, of which she relentlessly had nightmares of. Regardless of the crimes that these women have committed which appeared in the eyes of the law as worser than the crimes which Mrs. Ruddock had accused other members of her neighbourhood and society for; Mrs. Ruddock talked to them equally and was delighted to have companions to talk to. Thus, the idea which i seem to find extraordinary and unconventional is the irony that Mrs. Ruddock, without any exceptions felt more freedom in a prison cell with immates than she did in her own home. This is amazingly weird, especially when prison is portrayed greatly as not being free and being condemned, although this character twists this around and insists that prison is freedom, compared to being at home. This for me makes me wonder whether the old are being neglected and not given the freedom to think for themselves, to be with people who they actually want in their company and to not be placed aside by their sons and daughters to some of the most incapable homes where the workers are ill-trained and of course, the familiar word 'neglect' comes into view again as this is the only promise that the government, NHS system and society itself is able to keep, amongst heaping promises. The UK, amongst many other countries appears to be obsessed with youth, with the constant anti-wrinkling beauty products on sale, adverts of young people wearing clothes, younger people being employed in a higher position whilst older people are sacked and left to endure an unsatisfactory retirement fund and ailing, long-winded death. There appears to be no reason for most older people to live, there is no reason given or provided for, there is no big retirement fund for older people to use to experience the treats that they deserve. Where is the justice in that? I certainly see none. Thus, looking back, i believe society has indeed decided that rather than 'shouldering the burden' of their old father or mother, it would be much better to just 'plop' them in a home. However, there are other nations such as India and Iran which do no such thing, they have the older generation stay with them and the young, so that both are not alone. I think this is an amazing prospect for the Indian and Iranian older generation to look forward to but i do not see this happening in the UK, especially the way our culture disregards the older generation in favour of the young and it's well-enforced and constant emphasis on being young which has lend to many