Author Leslie Marmon writes of elders serving several different roles in the realms of intimacy and generativity in her work, Storyteller (1981). In terms of intimacy, Marmon portrays elders as being active participants within intergenerational relationships. One example of this exists between the narrator and his/her aunt Susie. The narrator tells us, “I discovered that she would listen to me to all my questions and speculations” (p. 4), even as Susie was busy with her own personal work. Even while busy, Susie made sure to always focus and give her undivided attention to her younger relative, trying to help teach and guide him in the right direction. Susie also maintained this intimate relationship by telling her niece/nephew stories and tales of the past, which the narrator holds dear to their heart as they
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The narrator writes, “she raised her family and helped Uncle Walter run their small cattle ranch” (p. 3) in reference to his aunt Susie. In this not only is Susie generative through taking care of the young, but she also works as a ranch hand on the family farm helping out where she can. Another way elders are depicted as generative is by protecting and watching over the younger generations. In the story aunt Susie tells the narrator, there is an elder man who sees the young girl whom is running away from home. The elder in the story tries to catch the little girl, and protect her from drowning (p. 11). Another example of this protection can be found in the scenario at the hotel in Albuquerque. The Great-grandfather wouldn’t stand for his “children” being treated that way, and leave with them to remove them from the toxic situation (p. 17). A final way elders stay generative, is through the passing down of traditions and customs. The narrator writes that his/her aunt Susie “was of a generation…that passed down an entire culture by word of mouth” (p.
The narrator writes, “she raised her family and helped Uncle Walter run their small cattle ranch” (p. 3) in reference to his aunt Susie. In this not only is Susie generative through taking care of the young, but she also works as a ranch hand on the family farm helping out where she can. Another way elders are depicted as generative is by protecting and watching over the younger generations. In the story aunt Susie tells the narrator, there is an elder man who sees the young girl whom is running away from home. The elder in the story tries to catch the little girl, and protect her from drowning (p. 11). Another example of this protection can be found in the scenario at the hotel in Albuquerque. The Great-grandfather wouldn’t stand for his “children” being treated that way, and leave with them to remove them from the toxic situation (p. 17). A final way elders stay generative, is through the passing down of traditions and customs. The narrator writes that his/her aunt Susie “was of a generation…that passed down an entire culture by word of mouth” (p.