On Aging Flashcards
5 Big Ideas
- The speaker doesn´t want to be pitied or patronised by others
- The speaker conveys that she is aging but remains independent and self-sufficient
- The speaker rejects the stereotypes about aging
- Speaker face aging with humour
- The speaker conveys that aging is a physical phenomenon but that the mind remains young
Universal message (OVERALL)
TO AGE IS TO CONTINUE LIVING - It should not be feared or disregarded, but embraced.
“When you see me sitting quietly, / Like a sack on the shelf,”
Simile holds a dark humorous undertone.
Old people tend to be disregarded and unacknowledged in society - elderly speaker is lecturing the younger person so that we stop having misconceptions about aging.
“You”
It is implied that the elderly speaker is addressing a younger person.
Sibilance in : “When you see me sitting quietly, / Like a sack on the shelf,”
Sets a quiet tone to the poem. However, this auditory appeal changes in the line, “Hold!, Stop! Don´t pity me!”
“Like a sack on the shelf,”
Figure of speech
“Sack” symbolises…
how old people are perceived as in society: worthless, shapeless, un-important, neglected, static, stagnant
“Hold!, Stop! Don´t pity me!”
Angelou gives voice to the speaker as he rejects pity
Anaphora “Hold! Stop!”
is created by imperatives which portrays the speaker´s willingness to grasp the attention of a younger audience in order to implicate a different perspective of aging…
The imperatives also reflect the speaker´s agency and power. Despite his age, he maintains the dominance as he firmly implies that he doesn´t need any company.
This characterises the speaker as independent.
Universal message
Young people assume that old people need “chattering” and “sympathy”
“Understanding”
is the only thing that suits the speaker. Everything else, he can live without.
“When my bones are stiff and aching”
The imagery reflects the speaker´s physical fragility which on a more universal level, may suggest why many elderly people experience discomfort and unease more regularly.
“When”
The speaker hasn´t adapted to this new physical state just yet.
He is just being precautious and open-minded about the new adjustments he will have to do in his life.
“Stiff”
The adjective mirrors the speaker´s immobility and rigidness
“Aching”
The adjective accentuates the speaker´s acknowledgement of the pain that may derive from an old age.
However, he approaches these situations with calmness as he has accepted the fact that they are universally experiences.
“Don´t bring me no rocking chair.”
Grammatically incorrect -> Speaker´s character comes across more profoundly.
Furthermore, central imagery of the poem is the rocking chair.
“…rocking chair”
(+ D.I)
Usually associated with old women.
Traditionally, rocking chairs symbolise nostalgia, as it serves as a way for you to reminisce about your past. The speaker´s neglect towards this, however, may suggest that she would much rather carry on living in the present than reliving the past.
The speaker doesn´t want to be treated as fragile, he wants to be independent and have agency.
DEEPER IMPLICATION:
Angelou is defying stereotypes.
“…walking, stumbling”
Imagery of physical decay and limitations.
Gradual progression of physical deterioration.
“Cause tired don´t mean lazy”
Firm tone - speaker is defending his work ethic.
Although she may appear slower, it is now a representation of her mind.
“Cause”
Colloquial expression produces an authentic voice
“Tired” and “Lazy”
May seem familiar in appearance. However, tiredness is a consequence of external factors whereas being lazy is a result of a lack of motivation and bad habits.
“I´m the same person I was back then”
Declarative tone. Re-affirmation of identity
“A little less hair, a little less chin, / A lot less lungs and much less wind.”
The imagery highlights the passage of time.
Humorous tone may suggest that she uses it as a coping mechanism
“A little less”
“A lot less”
The inversion suggests that time is slowly taking away the next few minutes of her life.
Caesura in : “A little less hair, a little less chin, / A lot less lungs and much less wind.”
Slows down the pace of the poem. May mirror her physical decay.
Liquid and sibilance : “A little less hair, a little less chin, / A lot less lungs and much less wind.”
Creates a nursery rhyme quality which is used to try and capture the significance of the message being conveyed in a memorable way.
“But ain´t I lucky I can still breathe in”
The statement portrays the speaker´s sense of gratitude. This produces a counterpoint to aging
“lucky”
The adjective highlights his sudden realisation of how fortunate he is to have been blessed with the life he has lived.
“Still”
The adverb suggests that the speaker is desperately grasping onto the remainder of his life.
As she acknowledges that he is approaching the end.
Octet -> quatrain -> octet
Emphasises the importance of the key idea : the rocking chair.
