Lucy Knisley Analysis

. Their ‘alienation’ is also shown by their appearance in Knisley perspective, and never being seen outside of her presence. Without her, they would not be able to partake in the cruise and it wouldn’t be as special according to her grandfather (Knisley 151). Andrews makes a keen observation about the treatment of people after World War II “of voluntary or mandatory retirement from the workforce at a predetermined age” (Andrew 57). In parallel, the elders are identified through age and are expected to act a certain way, following the identity of ‘elder’. Seeing as her grandfather Allen also partook in World War II, it is notable that as a soldier he was enlisted either voluntary or mandatory and left the army when he had the opportunity.
While Lucy Knisley does not show any ageist attitudes, it is clear by her initial view of her grandparents that she had adopted, unconsciously, ageist ideas. Sik Hung Ng explains that “people are often categorized on the basis of their age in ways that affect how others will perceive and relate to them” (Ng 102). As previously stated, a common ageist idea is the attribution of decline, which Knisley is quick to point out upon seeing her grandparents again. Yet, from Knisley’s point of view she suddenly notices how other people react to her grandparents’ behaviours which demonstrates other examples of ageism. In one instance, a man stares judgingly at Allen because he peed his pants (Knisley 29). This act of gazing but not saying anything suggests the silent attribution younger generations poses on older generations of making assumptions without understanding. In another case, a man fights with Lucy over a seat, despite Allen needing to sit after an asthma attack (Knisley 142-143). The fact that the man is unwilling to give up the reserved seat displays an unconcerned attitude or the elderly. In both cases, it shows how “people may adopt ageist attitudes and behaviours to distance themselves from older people” (Nelson