Conflict in Old Age Essay

Conflict in Old Age Essay
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Introduction
Conflicts and passions within David and Eva's lengthy marriage are at the center of Tillie Olsen's ‘Tell Me a Riddle'. The couple's marriage having been formed during a period of political turmoil, had shared a dream that a more, just and humane world could be attained; a vision that is now being challenged by a life of hardship and poverty. Eva and David have become furious and estranged with each other and their conflicting desires are ultimately tearing them apart. Eva, after spending her lifetime caring for her husband and children is now craving for solitude (Olsen, 1962). David, on the other hand, craves for companionship and sociability.
The source of conflict
Among the concerns presented by Olsen, in relation to the conflict, are the complexity and tenacity of marital and familial love, the tasks and costs associated with motherhood, immigration experience, women marginalization, the dying process, difficulties of illness and aging, and the obsession with justice even in the face of all the harm done by oppression and poverty (Olsen, 1962). This paper will discuss the source of conflicts and the two sides of the conflict.
The marriage of David and Eva, an immigrant couple from Russia, is falling apart after almost four decades, the tensions between the couple had been reserved for many years in order to raise their children, but are resurfacing now that they are living alone (Olsen, 1962). During their entire marriage period, Eva was able to ignore her personal desires in order to provide the children with an appropriate upbringing. In so doing, she has been forced to sacrifice her identity and voice. All she now wants, in her old age is to be alone- she prefers to live in her Russian memories than in memories of a life in which she was absorbed with others. This stance is what leads to a major conflict when David seems determined to ensure that they move from their current home to a retirement community in Florida known as the Haven. Eva highly values her space and freedom, and sharply objects to plan. The couple's adult children – Paul, Hannah, Vivi, Clara, Lennie, and Sammy- are mystified by this hostility, and attempt to encourage their parents to act reasonably (Olsen, 1962). Eva seems to strongly resent a life of putting her personal needs aside for those of others. She particularly resents how her husband had always been able to attend card games and lodge meetings, while she had to stay at home. All she prefers now is silence and solitude- she has chosen to simply sit around and rest. David on the other hand constantly talks about shifting to Haven and even threatens to sell their current home without her approval.
David seems ready to exploit every avenue available to ensure he realizes his dream of moving to the retirement community even though it would be against the desires of Eva. A g...