Reflections on the movie On Golden Pond and Chapters 2,4, and 6 of The Journey of Adulthood
Norman and Ethel Thayer, an older couple, return to Golden Pond for the summer. According to the back cover of the DVD, "On Golden Pond is filled with conflict and resolution. When their daughter Chelsea arrives, the family is forced to renew the bonds of love and overcome the generational friction that has existed for years." (Gilbert & Rydell, 1982).
The first scene sets the stage as Ethel breezes around the place "welcoming the lake" and her friends the loons. Her excitement is contagious to the mailman and the audience - not to Norman, however. Norman ignores her enthusiasm and focuses on the want ads (missing work? missing his purpose in life?). Norman is turning 80 and talks about death and old age. He appears disengaged from his surroundings. He seems a curmudgeon who is quite forgetful and negatively focused during the first part of the movie. Frankly, he acts OLD.
Chelsea arrives with her new boyfriend and his son Billy and asks her parents to watch Billy while she and his father go to Europe. It is clear that there is a strain on Norman's relationship with his daughter that is unresolved. Chelsea and her father seem to be stuck in the past where their relationship is unhealthy. Chelsea admits that she feels like a little girl around him, and acts that way. Norman calls her "fat girl" and she calls him by his first name - an adolescent attempt at disrespect, I suppose. Norman treats her like a child patronizing, belittling, and scolding her at every opportunity. Chelsea and Bill go off to Europe and the bulk of the remaining movie is themed around a transformation of Norman.
Norman grows close to Billy after a rather rocky start. Although generations apart, the two learn to respect each other's perspectives and language. Billy doesn't put up with Norman's gruffness and Norman apologizes to him. This is a pivotal moment for Norman and the audience is treated to a glimpse of realization in his eyes a he seems to regret treating others (such as Chelsea) similarly. After a fishing trip accident, Norman and Billy become "thick as thieves". It seems that tragedy brings them closer together having shared something meaningful. They care for each other. We see Norman's memory improving as his mind is actively engaged in his relationship with the boy. Through the youthful eyes of Billy, Norman relives earlier times with his daughter. Years seem to shed from Norman and the old curmudgeon recedes. Norman and Ethel thoroughly enjoy these times with Billy, and happiness (and healthiness) abounds.
Once Chelsea returns she notices the relationship between Norman and Billy and sulks over the fact that Billy makes a "better son" than she did to Norman. She tells her mother that she regrets having never been "friends" with her father. Chelsea implies that her father wanted a boy and resents her because of it. Father and daughter both wish for a better relationship as evidenced by Norman's soaking up the relationship with Billy and Chelsea's envy of that relationship. Norman wants to take pride in his daughter and shows this by being overly critical of her (or is it just his nature?). Chelsea wants her father to be proud of her and shows that by prancing around in her trim and fit body that was once "fat". She feels she never measured up. Norman wants a companion (not sure if the gender matters to him). They both crave friendship. After a stern lesson in forgiveness from her mother, Chelsea musters up the courage to face Norman about their relationship. They talk it over and seem to forgive each other.
A culminating scene takes place where Chelsea does a back flip for Norman. He later gives her his 2nd place medal to take with her reminding her of her achievement (of the dive).
Ever the optimist, Ethel seems to be the liaison between daughter and husband. She is peacemaker and nurturer. The scene where she comforts Billy after Norman has been unnecessarily stern with him demonstrates this. She says to Billy, "Sometimes you gotta look hard at a person and remember he's doing the best he can. He's just trying to find his way just like you." (Gilbert & Rydell, 1982). With her daughter she is both supportive and maternal. Her patience is tested and she sternly tells Chelsea to "grow up". Ethel loves her family and wants them to get along, however she respects them all individually. She is a cheerleader and companion. We mostly see her through her relationships and not individually except when Norman tells Billy how he and Ethel met. We are then able to glimpse her as a woman outside of her roles.
The movie ends on a positive note with both Ethel and Norman saying good-bye to the lake and their loons reassuring us that healthy relationships will be in the Thayer futures. This link, a YouTube video clip of the movie preview, shows snippets of each character emphasizing the varying opinions and relationships discussed above.
Learning Transfer (chapters 2, 4, and 5)
On Golden Pond (1982) is a looking glass into the aging process. Physical changes, cognitive abilities, and social roles are evidenced in this script.
Physical changes (Chapter 2)
Norman and Ethel appear stooped and frail which is a sign of osteoporosis or general bone density decline. Their skin is wrinkled due to loss of elasticity, and their hair gray and thinning. In the 80's sunscreen wasn't used as liberally and it isn't shown in the movie but Ethel wears a sunhat when she's outside. Ethel flits around and appears in better shape than Norman who shows signs of gait instability or decline in balance. Ethel seems to have no balance issues as shown in a scene where she is dancing. One's lifestyle is a high contributor to how one ages. Ethel (Katherine Hepburn) most likely engages in aerobic, flexibility, and strength training exercises which can slow the effects of physical decline (Bjorklund, 2008). This is also demonstrated by Norman as his physical fitness seems to improve when he becomes more physically active with Billy.
In the film, Norman takes angina medication, but no other medications are shown. According to Bjorklund (2008), the heart of an older person and that of a younger person function about the same unless there is disease present. However, when the cardiovascular system is challenged (such as the scene where Norman lifts the heavy box of dishes) the older heart is slow to respond (Bjorklund, 2008). Ethel and Norman wear glasses, and occasionally use a magnifying glass to read the newspaper. In the boat scene where rocks must be navigated around in the dark, Norman my be showing signs of a loss of visual acuity (the ability to perceive detail in a visual pattern), or dark adaptation (the ability of the pupil to adjust to changes in the amount of light) (Bjorklund, 2008). Their hearing doesn't seem to be declining in the movie.
When Norman falls out of the boat and hits his head, he seems a little disoriented, but otherwise recovers quickly. I believe this is due to his companion (Billy) keeping his brain active. According to Bjorklund (2008), "Other significant contributors (aside from physical) to successful aging are attitudes, beliefs, and adaptability." (p. 64). These are called psychosocial. Clearly, an earlier Norman would have reacted far differently than this newer version. The new Norman has a positive outlook, seems happy, and enjoys positive social relationships.
Physical changes (Chapter 2)
Norman and Ethel appear stooped and frail which is a sign of osteoporosis or general bone density decline. Their skin is wrinkled due to loss of elasticity, and their hair gray and thinning. In the 80's sunscreen wasn't used as liberally and it isn't shown in the movie but Ethel wears a sunhat when she's outside. Ethel flits around and appears in better shape than Norman who shows signs of gait instability or decline in balance. Ethel seems to have no balance issues as shown in a scene where she is dancing. One's lifestyle is a high contributor to how one ages. Ethel (Katherine Hepburn) most likely engages in aerobic, flexibility, and strength training exercises which can slow the effects of physical decline (Bjorklund, 2008). This is also demonstrated by Norman as his physical fitness seems to improve when he becomes more physically active with Billy.
In the film, Norman takes angina medication, but no other medications are shown. According to Bjorklund (2008), the heart of an older person and that of a younger person function about the same unless there is disease present. However, when the cardiovascular system is challenged (such as the scene where Norman lifts the heavy box of dishes) the older heart is slow to respond (Bjorklund, 2008). Ethel and Norman wear glasses, and occasionally use a magnifying glass to read the newspaper. In the boat scene where rocks must be navigated around in the dark, Norman my be showing signs of a loss of visual acuity (the ability to perceive detail in a visual pattern), or dark adaptation (the ability of the pupil to adjust to changes in the amount of light) (Bjorklund, 2008). Their hearing doesn't seem to be declining in the movie.
When Norman falls out of the boat and hits his head, he seems a little disoriented, but otherwise recovers quickly. I believe this is due to his companion (Billy) keeping his brain active. According to Bjorklund (2008), "Other significant contributors (aside from physical) to successful aging are attitudes, beliefs, and adaptability." (p. 64). These are called psychosocial. Clearly, an earlier Norman would have reacted far differently than this newer version. The new Norman has a positive outlook, seems happy, and enjoys positive social relationships.
Cognitive ability (Chapter 4)
At the beginning of the film Norman is sent to pick strawberries. He doesn't get too far when he becomes unsure of his surroundings, panics, and goes back home. Norman demonstrates nondeclarative, or procedural, memory (Bjorklund, (2008) when he walks down the path just like he has done countless times before. Bjorklund describes prospective memory as "remembering to do something later on, or in the future" (p. 115), or performing some habitual routine. He becomes confused when he doesn't remember why he's walking down the path. Another example of a lapse in prospective memory is when Norman lights a fire in the fireplace and doesn't recognize the threat of the stack of newspapers close enough to catch fire. Neither does he remember to place the grate in front of the hearth keeping the flames safely confined. Making lists and using memory aids help assist with this deficit.
Norman demonstrates his intelligence when he verbally spars with Bill (Sr.). The way he twists around the words and conversation is clever, albeit bordering on insulting - but that's another conversation. One of my favorite dialogs from the movie is when Bill asks Norman if there are bears around. Norman replies deadpan, (having heard from the mailman earlier in the day that one of the "ladies" in town had died) "sure, one came around just last week and ate an old lesbian." (Gilbert & Rydell, 1982). Clearly he values education and the value of books. After meeting young Billy, and tiring of his conversation, he orders Billy to go upstairs and read the first chapter of Treasure Island. On a side note, I find it so "1980's" that Billy just complies. It would be less likely that our 13 year-old's in 2013 would.
Bjorklund (2008) explains how formal education affects the rate of cognitive decline with age, "All other things being equal, people with fewer years of formal schooling will show more cognitive decline as years go by than with their same-aged peers with more years of formal education." (p. 122). Norman and Ethel enjoy playing Parcheesi. According to Bjorklund (2008) cognitive processes are preserved in older people when they regularly participate in activities such as game playing or doing cross-word puzzles. When doing activities that Norman has done for a long time such as fishing and playing games he is quite confident and commanding. And yet, this is the same Norman without any confidence in the strawberry picking scene.
Exercise is also mentioned in this chapter as being casually linked to intellectual skill. The case (in the movie) can be made when we compare feeble disengaged Norman who begins the movie to Norman the captain and fisherman who keeps up with his 13 year-old pal. This proves that the more active our bodies and social relationships are, the more our brain is likewise engaged.
Social Roles (Chapter 5)
Some of the roles demonstrated in the movie are: parent, spouse, child, stepmother, step child, grandchild, grand parent, son in-law, care-giver, and care-receiver. Norman and Ethel have a more stereotypical relationship whereas the other relationships are less so - at least for the 80's. Bill and Chelsea sleep together "in sin", Billy lives with his father because his mother was a less desirable parent. Other than that, the social transitions are pretty typical. Chelsea grows up and out but her transition into adulthood is a bit stalled when it comes to her relationship with her father.
The characters demonstrate very clear gender roles. Norman is expected to fix the door. Ethel nurtures the family. Billy assumes the grandchild role enjoying the attention he doesn't seem to get from his busy parents. Norman and Ethel dote on Billy falling easily into a grandparent role. Bill Sr. acts the awkward son-in-law laying some boundary and protection around his woman while Norman acts the parent and pushes back a bit (the scene about where everyone was going to sleep). Chelsea is the supportive partner with Bill Sr. and yet the petulant daughter to Norman. In the end she transitions into a healthier adult daughter role.
Bjorkhund (2008) describes social roles in late adulthood as making transitions into simplified forms of former roles. Sometimes life chooses for us. Role transitions are experienced differently with each individual depending on various factors such as financial resources, social relationships, and health decline. Some changes may be moving into a smaller more affordable house or losing one's companion and living alone. There are a wide range of outcomes and Bjorkhund (2008) warns the reader not to view late adulthood as a time of loss.
On Golden Pond and 2013
So, what would a typical "On Golden Pond" scenario look/sound like today? Most likely the technological age would have intervened - even in the mountains. Billy would likely come equipped with video games and would more likely watch a movie about Treasure Island than read the book - or at the very least, would read it on his Kindle. The telephone at the camp would not reach an "operator" at the other end when picked up. Most likely it would be a cordless push-button phone. Gas would certainly be cheaper, the mail might not be delivered by a local chap, and Billy would wear a life jacket.
There have been a lot of medical advances recently, and I would bet that Norman would have been taking some medication for his memory lapses. Certainly, his age-related displays would not be brushed under the rug by Ethel. He'd likely have been seeing a specialist, a therapist, and maybe even be on a vegan all-natural diet.
It is unlikely that Chelsea and Bill would just leave Billy in the care of her parents after he had just met them the day before. They would be more protective and consider his psychological development. They might have Billy in therapy to get through the divorce, and he might even be on medication for his moods. Billy would be more detached than he was in the movie, and his electronic gizzies and gadgets would be attached to his body - WITH earphones stuffed into his ears to tune out his surroundings. It's all speculation, of course, but this is what I see in the students and parents I work with.
Norman and Ethel would most likely be involved with some type of social media and it would be unlikely that they would be so out of touch with their daughter... Ethel loves getting letters and my guess is that she would have become Facebook friends with Chelsea.
Whether the year is 1980 or 2013 the lessons of acceptance and gratitude are timeless.
Resources
Norman demonstrates his intelligence when he verbally spars with Bill (Sr.). The way he twists around the words and conversation is clever, albeit bordering on insulting - but that's another conversation. One of my favorite dialogs from the movie is when Bill asks Norman if there are bears around. Norman replies deadpan, (having heard from the mailman earlier in the day that one of the "ladies" in town had died) "sure, one came around just last week and ate an old lesbian." (Gilbert & Rydell, 1982). Clearly he values education and the value of books. After meeting young Billy, and tiring of his conversation, he orders Billy to go upstairs and read the first chapter of Treasure Island. On a side note, I find it so "1980's" that Billy just complies. It would be less likely that our 13 year-old's in 2013 would.
Bjorklund (2008) explains how formal education affects the rate of cognitive decline with age, "All other things being equal, people with fewer years of formal schooling will show more cognitive decline as years go by than with their same-aged peers with more years of formal education." (p. 122). Norman and Ethel enjoy playing Parcheesi. According to Bjorklund (2008) cognitive processes are preserved in older people when they regularly participate in activities such as game playing or doing cross-word puzzles. When doing activities that Norman has done for a long time such as fishing and playing games he is quite confident and commanding. And yet, this is the same Norman without any confidence in the strawberry picking scene.
Exercise is also mentioned in this chapter as being casually linked to intellectual skill. The case (in the movie) can be made when we compare feeble disengaged Norman who begins the movie to Norman the captain and fisherman who keeps up with his 13 year-old pal. This proves that the more active our bodies and social relationships are, the more our brain is likewise engaged.
Social Roles (Chapter 5)
Some of the roles demonstrated in the movie are: parent, spouse, child, stepmother, step child, grandchild, grand parent, son in-law, care-giver, and care-receiver. Norman and Ethel have a more stereotypical relationship whereas the other relationships are less so - at least for the 80's. Bill and Chelsea sleep together "in sin", Billy lives with his father because his mother was a less desirable parent. Other than that, the social transitions are pretty typical. Chelsea grows up and out but her transition into adulthood is a bit stalled when it comes to her relationship with her father.
The characters demonstrate very clear gender roles. Norman is expected to fix the door. Ethel nurtures the family. Billy assumes the grandchild role enjoying the attention he doesn't seem to get from his busy parents. Norman and Ethel dote on Billy falling easily into a grandparent role. Bill Sr. acts the awkward son-in-law laying some boundary and protection around his woman while Norman acts the parent and pushes back a bit (the scene about where everyone was going to sleep). Chelsea is the supportive partner with Bill Sr. and yet the petulant daughter to Norman. In the end she transitions into a healthier adult daughter role.
Bjorkhund (2008) describes social roles in late adulthood as making transitions into simplified forms of former roles. Sometimes life chooses for us. Role transitions are experienced differently with each individual depending on various factors such as financial resources, social relationships, and health decline. Some changes may be moving into a smaller more affordable house or losing one's companion and living alone. There are a wide range of outcomes and Bjorkhund (2008) warns the reader not to view late adulthood as a time of loss.
On Golden Pond and 2013
So, what would a typical "On Golden Pond" scenario look/sound like today? Most likely the technological age would have intervened - even in the mountains. Billy would likely come equipped with video games and would more likely watch a movie about Treasure Island than read the book - or at the very least, would read it on his Kindle. The telephone at the camp would not reach an "operator" at the other end when picked up. Most likely it would be a cordless push-button phone. Gas would certainly be cheaper, the mail might not be delivered by a local chap, and Billy would wear a life jacket.
There have been a lot of medical advances recently, and I would bet that Norman would have been taking some medication for his memory lapses. Certainly, his age-related displays would not be brushed under the rug by Ethel. He'd likely have been seeing a specialist, a therapist, and maybe even be on a vegan all-natural diet.
It is unlikely that Chelsea and Bill would just leave Billy in the care of her parents after he had just met them the day before. They would be more protective and consider his psychological development. They might have Billy in therapy to get through the divorce, and he might even be on medication for his moods. Billy would be more detached than he was in the movie, and his electronic gizzies and gadgets would be attached to his body - WITH earphones stuffed into his ears to tune out his surroundings. It's all speculation, of course, but this is what I see in the students and parents I work with.
Norman and Ethel would most likely be involved with some type of social media and it would be unlikely that they would be so out of touch with their daughter... Ethel loves getting letters and my guess is that she would have become Facebook friends with Chelsea.
Whether the year is 1980 or 2013 the lessons of acceptance and gratitude are timeless.
Resources
Bjorklund, B.R. (2008/2004). The Journey of Adulthood (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., Prentice hall.
Gilbert, B. (Producer) & Rydell, M. (Director). (January, 1982). On Golden Pond (Motion picture). United States: Universal Pictures.
A great assessment of the movie and you captured all the main points. I have used the movie in this course for many years, and have often been very impressed both with the impact it has on viewers, but also the amount of self-reflecting and comparison of older relatives that comes from it. I believe none of us want to think we could become a curmudgeon in our older years but, at the same time, fear it is possible. I felt all the actors did a great job, including Bill Lanteau who played Charlie. Charlie had this lifelong crush on Chelsea and I believe many people share similar affections throughout life. As you may also have discovered from side reviews of the movie, there was a bit of reality in the at times strained relationships between Henry and Jane Fonda in real life. I had the sense that the aging process was a bit of strain for Henry Fonda, too.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you used Barbara's chapters in your analysis of the movie and what was happening. You have always had such a great way in my courses of incorporating what you are obtaining from the readings into your own growth in knowledge and understanding and you certainly continued that here.
I think I may have already have used this example in one of my comments to you, but I once interviewed a man in a residential center who had some dementia. Initially he was slumped in a wheelchair in a lobby in front of a TV where some attendant had parked him. He was disheveled in appearance, sagging face, etc. When I finally got his attention and we began to talk about his profession (a soil conservation specialist) he began to perk up. By the end of my 50 minutes with him (I actually was waiting to interview another person so could not spend any more time) he had perked up, straightened up his clothing, became alert and very conversant, and had a very active memory. Sadly, an hour later when I walked by on my way to another interview, he was back in his original condition. My Mom until her final days, still loved to play card games and they would perk her up and she was very competitive. I was told a story just last night when I picked up some friends from the airport after their holiday visits with family. They had met a woman from Norway who was also visiting friends where they were (Hawaii). She worked in a nursing home in her country and noted that in many Scandinavian countries, the workers were always highly educated, trained, and paid. She had visited a friend in a nursing home in Honolulu and was struck by the differences. That is not to say that workers in nursing homes in the U.S., in the main, don't really work hard and care deeply for the people with whom they work, but she (the woman from Norway) had noted the differences.
In essence, we have a ways to go in the U.S. in the way we treat and care from the aging person in my view.
A great job as usual, Wendy.