Elderly woman's account: perils hidden in everyday existence
News Article: "Angelika Arend's 'A Woman of Eighty' Challenges Prejudices in Modern Society"
Angelika Arend, a German author who emigrated to Canada in the 1950s, has recently published a thought-provoking collection of tales titled "A Woman of Eighty". The book, published by Mitteldeutscher Verlag, Halle, for 16 Euro, offers a profound exploration of persistent prejudices, particularly those related to age and gender.
The collection is not a scathing indictment, but rather tells its stories with humour and understanding. Arend masterfully weaves together narratives that delve into societal attitudes that marginalize elderly women, highlighting how they are often overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed due to their age and gender.
One of the stories in the collection, "Black and White Sheep", explores prejudices between two boys. However, the director in the story hides his subtly suppressed racism behind an order, a reflection of how discriminatory attitudes can be camouflaged in everyday life.
Another story, "Apprenticeship of the Parents", depicts old prejudices surviving in Canada, as a father gradually admits his prejudices against people with different sexual orientations and skin colours. This story underscores the fact that discrimination is not confined to a specific geographical location or time period.
"A Woman of Eighty" also questions the entire dubious 20th century and the resurfacing self-righteousness fueled by ruthless individuals who understand that discriminations grant power. The collection raises the question of the fragility of various praised freedoms, as old prejudices and discriminations from older centuries still persist.
The collection also addresses the theme of natural age discrimination, particularly in academic circles. Arend's former colleague believed it self-evident that the recently retired linguist and Germanist should no longer be invited to book projects and readings because she is now old. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by elderly women in the workforce.
Work in Western societies is much more than just earning money; it involves social participation, friendships, challenges, self-realization, and recognition. The collection touches on the dark sides of "free love", revealing the objectification of women as sexual objects. It also depicts the difficulties of finding love and recognition, particularly for women, in stories such as "Struggles of the Mothers" and "Burnt Child".
The first story in the collection is called "The Dummy from the GDR", a poignant exploration of discrimination and prejudices. The collection also includes stories like those in "Der Himmel aber ist immer blau" and poems like those in "Sotto voce".
In "A Woman of Eighty", Arend aims to break through the narrow-mindedness of her "younger" colleagues about retirement and aging. She encourages Western societies to consider whether to stick to the rigid retirement age or think about a working life from the perspective of the person. By doing so, she challenges the status quo and invites readers to reconsider their own prejudices and biases.
Angelika Arend returned to Germany specifically to reconnect with today's German language, having noticed significant changes since her emigration to Canada. Her collection serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of storytelling to challenge and change societal norms.
- Angelika Arend's book, 'A Woman of Eighty', delves into the realms of science and health-and-wellness, addressing mental-health issues that impact elderly women, who are often overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed.
- The collection also touches upon lifestyle and family-dynamics, presenting stories such as "Struggles of the Mothers" and "Burnt Child", which highlight the challenges faced by women in their personal lives.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, the book critiques the natural age discrimination experienced by older individuals, like Angelika's former colleague who was excluded from work projects due to her age.
- Delving into career-development, the book questions the rigid retirement age and encourages the reconsideration of this norm, inviting readers to challenge their own biases and prejudices.
- 'A Woman of Eighty' also engages with policy-and-legislation and politics, spotlighting discriminatory attitudes, such as the father's prejudices in "Apprenticeship of the Parents", which transcend geographical borders and time periods.
- As a work of general-news, 'A Woman of Eighty' offers a profound exploration of persistent prejudices in modern society, challenging the status quo and employing storytelling as a powerful tool for social change, evidenced by its themes of self-righteousness, objectification, and social marginalization.
