| dc.description.abstract | Ageing is a modern phenomenon due to civilisation. But man is denying his personal ageing and therefore tends to ignore it. The aims and objectives of this study were to determine gerontological codes in order to supply the reader with the means to interpret and receive the message without the disturbances of stereotyping and ignorance. Because we deny old age and approaching death until it confronts us, we have to come to terms with both old age as well as death. Only by admitting our personal ageing and death would that be possible. Society and culture are largely responsible for the attitude about ageing. As people grow older they tend to take their youth with them 11 as if it were a precious possession not to be left behind 11 (Woodward, 1991:6) and therefore old age is pushed ahead. People will label 11 old11 only those persons who are older than they are. Both death and old age are denied until it becomes impossible to ignore the facts. To the observer old age is degrading, a period of decline, deterioration, decay and being repulsive to others. The elderly are isolated in old age homes and hospitals. Their total environment shrinks and instead of entering the outside world, they are restricted to their homes, observing from within themselves and from their world. Denial of ageing results in ignoring the gerontological codes eminent in ourselves. To identify gerontological codes and define a codal framework, 303 three older poets, namely Ernst Van Heerden, Elisabeth Eybers and S.J. Pretorius were identified. It was obvious that in the poetry of their later years they became concerned with the hardships of ageing and approaching death. Gerontological codes identified, were the following: 1. Biological codes portraying deterioration, decay and retrogression, chronical diseases and biological vulnerability. 2. Social disengagement is a major code. The process starts with retirement and is completed at death and include all social relationships. 3. The environmental code refers to the shrinked milieu. Immobility and fear of the hostile exterior are the causes of their restriction. 4. Memories, memoirs, biographies, photos, portraits and works of art have to proof the existence of a human being. 5. Loneliness, inactivity, disillusionment, rejection and insomnia are gerontological codes. 6. Death and the aftermath of death and immortality are important codes. 7. Gerontological metaphors used are time and season related. Life is seen as a day or year, evening and autumn refers to old age and night and winter are the time of death. Other metaphors are travel related. Life is the road travelled by using all kinds of transport. Death is the destination. Rivers, bridges and boats are sometimes used 1n crossing from life to death. The body is compared to a jug which is emptied towards death. Mirrors are necessary to recognise 304 the personal ageing. 8. Gerontological codes are reflected in titles of poems and collections. 9. Irony, satire and antithesis are often used. Old age is a period that causes anxiety and fear. The results of these feelings are denial and repression of the very subject of ageing and old age. The western culture's representation of old age is predominantly negative. Therefore the reception of gerontological works of art will be affected. With the aid of this study, it should be possible to recognise the gerontological codes and decode the text. | |
