The Survival of the Weakest - Essay (English)

THE SURVIVAL OF WEAKEST: THE OLDER WOMAN BY: Silva Redigonda SURVIVAL OF THE WEAKEST: THE OLDER WOMAN Women have survived patriarchy and at what expense? In today’s society, at least in our society, women are educated, have careers, and have the freedom to be a free spirit on equal par with men. Does this have a false note? Perhaps, and perhaps women are no longer considered the weakest link to men. Perhaps, independent living taken for granted by the majority of people is not more restrictive to the older woman. The Older Women's Network identified poverty, housing and community among the needs of older women. The Stone Angel and The Book of Eve are texts illustrating and exploring how an older woman's life is forced into poverty, and how desperately she seeks her identity within her home and community. This is captured in each respective quest as the women escape from their homes in search of their independence and selves. What will be argued is that the older woman suffers poverty and that Housing and Community needs are less than adequate and are not affordable. THE FACE OF POVERTY – THE ESCAPE Older women have been identified as being among the poorest in Canada and getting poorer (Older Women’s Network, pg 11). Beresford-Howe illustrates the fall into poverty when Eva escapes from her husband after forty years of marriage. This escape includes leaving behind the comfort of a middle class environment and its’ possessions. Sadly, the reason for the delay in leaving her husband is simply the need to wait for her first pension check at the age of sixty-five. The following day she escapes. This small pension will offer her the independence she needs but also keeps her living with less than the bare necessities. Sadly, this woman after teaching for fifteen years, and taking her School Board pension in a lump sum, as a downpayment for her mortgage, has no legal claim to her house. Quebec law releases her husband of any responsibility when she chooses to live independently from him (Beresford-Howe, pgs 13 and 27). “You know those days a woman had no property in Quebec, could have no separate bank account…(Beresford-Howe pg 135). The Stone Angel depicts Hagar wanting to keep her house only to learn that it is now considered her son’s property. She had signed the house to him when he took over her business affairs. What she thought of as convenience at the time is now the reality that the house is no longer hers and that her son, Marvin wants to sell her home. Her bank account is also in his name (Laurence, pg 139). Feeling completely dependent without any resources, she too like Eva, runs away with her unsigned pension check and cashes it (Laurence, pg 145). How do these women manage? Eva describes her poverty, “…Have to renew the pressure pills, which leaves so little of my dwindling cash that I don’t buy so much as a toothpick…” (Beresford-Howe, pg 23). Eva realizes how she looks to others after trying to live on a meager pension,” I looked so different now. Just how different, those dark and startled eyes told me plainly enough” (Beresford-Howe, pg 87). “People slide curious eyes at me. Am I talking out loud?… (Beresford-Howe 148). “…they all averted their eyes and hurried past us weirdly drop-outs” Beresford-Howe (pg 180). “But you look so poor”, blurts her niece.” (pg 89) When Hagar escapes, she relishes her freedom. Hagar treats herself with small amounts of her favorite food, learning instantly that the cost for the few items she has bought is surprisingly high (Laurence, pg 148). Hagar finds joy with her new found independence, “I’m not weary at all, nor heavy laden. I could sing” (Laurence, pg 151). But quickly she finds herself desolate as she settles in an abandoned house, “My window has a broken pane, and the rain is slanting in. I realize that I am shivering…I’m terribly cold now, lying upon this lumpy mattress that reeks of mold and damp (Laurence, pg 161). Poverty in exchange for independence is what faces these two women. Eve is basically healthy to deal with and manage her poverty but Hagar, over ninety, is too frail and sick to deal with her homelessness. The Older Women’s Network relates startling figures regarding the average income for women over age 55 in Canada. In 1990 the average income was $17,525. This declined to $17,122, five years later (pg 12). Is this sufficient income for women? Is this sufficient income for anyone in Canada? How does one substantiate decreases with the high cost of living expenses rising each year? Statistics Canada, indicates that women over age 55 having an annual income of $14,999 or below (Older Women’s Network, pg 13) – survival of the weakest. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY The Older Women’s Network identifies that, “one of the most important needs of older women is for adequate and affordable housing located in a community and neighbourhood where they feel at home” (pgs iv, 28). Eva manages to find an apartment in an area of town, less than desirable, while Hagar would rather face homelessness than entry into an old age home. The authors explore the ramifications for older women. Eva describes her apartment as a “hole” (Beresford-Howe, pg 7). But regardless, she also feels that her new residence is her “empire.” (Beresford-Howe, pg 8). Perhaps the move from a middle class community to this “hole” may be the only affordable housing for her but what cannot be ignored and equally important was her lacking sense of community within her life with Burt. She found herself living “mechanically together” with Burt, sharing a roof, a name, a son…(Beresford-Howe, pg 78). She found herself to be a stranger even to her neighbour Janet Gordon who anxiously criticizes her with make believe tales of her disappearance (Beresford-Howe, pg 20). Though poor after her escape, she manages to make her apartment home with things she scavenges such as a plant disposed in the garbage (Beresford-Howe, pg 58). She finds her new life, ”private and satisfying” (Beresford-Howe, pg 58). But, she also falls victim to a deep depression. There is no community center or resources mentioned in the text which can aid Eva or assist her with her transition. Eventually she finds in her community a mate with Johnny Horvath, who re-awakens her sexuality (Beresford-Howe pg 125), and neighbours she makes time for including a young child, Jean-Paul Leblanc and his family, as well as Mrs Cooper (Beresford-Howe, pgs 172,192, and 205). Her old wise Tom Cat is also very much a part of her life as he watches her through the window and graduates to moving into the house (Beresford-Howe, pg 62). Eva has succeeded in making her home adequate for herself though by limited means and much below the level she was accustomed to. What truly enhances her life is her sense of community as she discovers herself. Hagar’s community consists of her family, doctors and the boring minister, Mr Troy, all who seem to want her in a nursing home. Though Hagar is not religious, she is forced to endure Mr Troy (Laurence, pg 117-119). It is not until she runs away that she has a lengthy conversation with someone on her own accord, Murray Lees, “His strangeness interests me and I wonder how I could have thought him a bore.” (Laurence, pg 230) Both share their grief regarding their losses and Hagar is surprised regarding their exchanges, “I’m not sorry I’ve talked to him, not sorry at all, and that’s remarkable… (Laurence, pg 245). She shares much needed laughter with Sandra Wong her roommate in the hospital after being caught by a nurse helping her to the bathroom. “Convulsed with our paining laughter, we bellow and wheeze” (Laurence, pg 302). Hagar appears much more content with her exchange of conversations with people who are not thrust upon her by her family. In this small way she not only gains a sense of community but also a sense of self. The Older Women’s Network found that the “one thing the older women …do not want is to move into a retirement home or senior’s residence…” (pg 32). Most of the reasons found had to do with their independence, privacy and need to continue living in a familiar space. Hagar though very ill and dying is still furiously independent in her mannerism, speech and behaviour as was illustrated by her escape. Hagar considers that perhaps her house is not truly home but it is hers and “familiar.” Hagar is horrified at the idea of leaving familiar grounds for a nursing home, “If you make me go there, you’re only signing my death warrant…How can I leave my house, my things…?.” This need for familiar space is again stressed by Hagar, “How can I leave my house? I don’t want to leave my house and all my things” (Beresford-Howe, pg 119). Hagar wonders what her rights are, “Can I obtain legal advice against a son? How would I go about it?” (Laurence, pg 76). She is unaware of any community services that may assist her. The Older Women’s Network identifies the lack of information that is available to older woman (pg 31). When Hagar is tricked into seeing Silverthreads and asked how she likes it, she replies, “I never cared for barracks.” She describes her surroundings, “ The little cells looked unlived-in and they smell of creosote. An iron cot, a dresser, a bedspread of that cheap…”, (Beresford-Howe, pg 98). The Older Women’s network reveals that 51% of the women felt that cold and unwelcome surroundings were a factor in rejecting retirement homes and seniors’ residences. 
CONCLUSION Poverty, Housing and Community are among the needs of older women, which need to be seriously addressed by society and improved. Margaret Laurence eloquently addresses the predicament a woman finds herself when she is trapped in a marriage because of lack of funds and the consequence of leaving. Sadly, the period is not too long ago and though situations have improved, elderly women are still suffering poverty. Pensions are extremely too low and for women who have never worked outside their home, it is even lower. Constance Beresford-Howe has guided the reader through this journey of poverty---from riches---to rags, and all for independence. Margaret Laurence also takes us on a journey from a seemingly comfortable lifestyle to another escape, this time from the nightmare of a nursing home, barrack like and lacking the warmth of familiar surroundings. Homelessness appears a better option. Again the author addresses the pitfall of poverty and inadequate housing. It is society’s responsibility to take care of our older women. It is our responsibility to ensure that our elderly are comfortable with a suitable pension, and have a voice in what they consider suitable housing and community. Women have survived patriarchy and at what expense.