As We Are Now

As We Are Now

Caro was resilient to the end. Caro struggles to fit in Twin Elms, a nursing home, which is run by Harriet Hatfield. Her experiences are listed in a journal, which she keeps to stop her mind from degenerating (Sarton, 1973). Accordingly, Caro’s life is analyzed using the life course theory that focuses on changes from birth to death. The theory asserts that people’s growth and aging are socially constructed, prescriptive, and are normative. The life course framework effectively depicts the life of Caro Spencer, who defied the stereotypes associated with aging and took control of her life.

Synopsis

As We Are Now chronicles the life of Caro Spencer in Twin Elms. Caro is taken to the center by her brother John and his young wife, Ginny. The facility is managed by Harriet Hatfiled and is assisted by her daughter Rose (Sarton, 1973). Harriet is a cruel woman who fakes niceness when dealing with the relatives of her customers or other outsiders. Harriet, however, is cruel to the residents and abuses them. Harriet also harms Caro. To refrain from losing her mental abilities and independence, Caro keeps entries of her unpleasant experience in Twin Helms and reflects on her past. Unable to contain her anger towards Harriet, Caro sets the Twin Elms ablaze, killing everyone, including herself. Caro’s narration illustrates the challenges older people face in nursing facilities.

Life Course Framework Analysis

The Future As Shaped By The Past

Past decisions have future outcomes. The principle states that the past has individual and generational impacts. A person can have psychological, economic, mental, and physical advantages or disadvantages based on their past (Hendricks, 2012). Correspondingly, Caro’s decision to be independent in every aspect leads to loneliness in the nursing home. She does not have children nor a husband, who would have given her care or visit her at the nursing home. Caro hated the idea of pegging her happiness on a man and had an affair instead and thought of having children was a mad thought. Further, not developing an intimate relationship with the brother, despite being close, led to the distance between the two. John hardly visited nor wrote to Caro. John’s absence affected her, and she realized that the two were strangers (Sarton, 1973). Caro also despised Ginny, which, as she believed, made Ginny not visit often. Her standoffish behavior toward Ginny fed her fears that she would not see her brother and had no family support. Conversely, Caro’s memories kept her sane. For instance, she wrote to an old student called Susie, which helped convince her that she was still in control of her life. Moreover, Caro loved reading from an early age, as did her brother John. While at home, reading books, and writing her journals kept her busy and excited her mind. Reading was Caro’s way of passing the time and expressing herself. Caro’s past activities had positive and negative consequences.

Agency and Personal Decision-Making

People make decisions that shape social structure. The Agency principle argues that individuals are active agents in making choices and set goals that affect the social structure instead of being passive. Furthermore, people have the ability for planful competence, the ability to pick roles one deems fit (Hendricks, 2012). However, opportunities, orientations, and challenges influence the decisions a person makes. Caro applies this principle. For one, she chose to burn down the Twin Elms facility and to die there. She carefully plotted how she would set the fire and where she would die; during a winter night in the bathroom when everyone else was asleep (Sarton, 1973) Notably, Caro was pushed by loneliness and cruelty by Harriet, who was resentful, condescending, and abusive. That no one believed her strengthened her resolve to die. Caro proves her defiance for stereotypes concerning the abilities of the elderly. Caro was very active in shaping her life course.

Timing of Life Experiences

Timing impacts one’s life. There are three types of time in the life course perspective. Individual time claims that biological events are ordered chronologically (Hendricks, 2012). If out of order, there will be physical and social consequences to the individual. Comparatively, the generational time refers to the age groups in which people are placed. Historical time alludes to significant events in society that shape the social, economic, and political outcomes of the members. Caro’s utilization of her individual time had consequences. Caro was straightforward and independent, which was not ladylike and unusual for an old woman. Fighting against Miss Harriet earned her confinement, abuse, and hatred (Sarton, 1973). Eventually, she became a murderer. However, she behaved like a sweet and vulnerable woman, as is expected from the aged, when interacting with Annie and the Thornhills, which made them friendly towards her. Caro’s generational time makes her and her peers vulnerable. Caro complains that they are thrown away like an ashtray to be forgotten. Their relatives hardly visit most people in the home until they die or are extremely sick. The old are also viewed as mad, which makes Miss Harriet get away with abuse for years.

The Influences of Historical Events and Geographical Location

Geographical location and historical events influence one’s life. A person’s development is impacted by the conditions that happen in a historical period and where they live. Events like war and social-cultural ideologies have key roles in community perceptions (Hendricks, 2012). In Caro’s case, the World War was significant in ending her two-decade affair with Alex. She hardly spoke to Alex because of his secretive work and became closer to the wife, Sarah. Similarly, Caro’s affair with Alex could not thrive in her home or the public, generally in her youth. She would have faced backlash for being a mistress to a married man. Hence, they met in Europe, where no one knew them (Sarton, 1973). The ideals of marriage did not appeal to Caro as they seemed like slavery. Harriet and her daughter Rose equally mocked Caro because she did not fit the perception of old people. In those homes, the elderly were expected to be docile, mentally unstable, and inferior to the caregivers. The society also viewed them as weaklings and burdensome individuals. Caro fought against such notions and even reported the home to the authorities and Richard Thornhill, and Harriet resorted to sarcasm and abuse to diminish her power. Even Rose felt threatened by Caro’s mental stability and independence. Eventually, Caro almost lost her mind and hope in life. Death by fire was her only escape. Social ideologies and the War impacted Caro’s life.

Linked Lives and Social Ties (Recognizing Variability among Cohorts)

People, despite being in the same age group, are not the same. The variability among cohorts dispels the notion that cohorts share perspectives in life because they are in the same age group (Hendricks, 2012). Notably, cohorts are not homogenous individuals and have different gender, social, economic, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Caro refutes the stereotypes of older adults. Instead of being docile and silent over elderly abuse like the rest, she writes letters to Thornhill and authorities for action. Caro is also independent. She is not bathed and does not depend on Harriet and Rose to complete simple tasks (Sarton, 1973). In addition, she is an avid reader. Her extensive reading was in contrast to the old men who could not concentrate on reading newspapers or watching television for long. Caro also concerned with keeping her memory alive and sought activities to stimulate her mind. So stubborn was she that Harriet called her cuckoo to downgrade her accusations. Caro was not subservient as expected, which earned her a bad reputation between Harriet and Rose.

Individual Development and Aging are Lifelong Processes

Individual development and aging are inevitable. Some transitions and pathways are organized socially, which individuals follow. Henceforth, a person must adjust and reinvent him/herself to fit into the present circumstances (Hendricks, 2012). More so, there are hallmarks that mark a person’s life from one milestone to another. The aging process can also determine the future success or failure of the individual. Caro’s aging was happening, a situation she defied. Even at 76, she still was still trying to keep her cognitive skills sharp (Sarton, 1973). Caro was keen on retaining her cognitive skills and prolong memory loss as much as possible. Maintaining her sanity, which fleets with age, was paramount to her. Throughout her life, Caro developed her intellect by studying and teaching. Establishing ties with students and friends enriched her character and strength, which she displayed even at old age. Caro did not want to accept that she was old.

Conclusion

The life course framework effectively depicts the life of Caro Spencer, who defied the stereotypes associated with aging and took control of her life. Using the six principles of the framework, it is evident that an individual’s life is shaped by society, circumstances, and personal involvement. Caro’s life in the Twin Elms was influenced by the care she received and her ties with her family and other inmates. Although she died on her terms, Caro’s life at the facility depicts the challenges that the elderly experience in care homes.

References

Hendricks, J. (2012). Considering Life Course Concepts. The Journals of Gerontology, 67B, 2, pp. 226–231. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbr147

Sarton, M. (1973). As we are now. New York, NY: Norton and Company.