Dangerous Ages · Question
How does Dangerous Ages develop the theme of Generational Conflict?
Answer
Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay develops Generational Conflict across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The tension between Neville's pre-war, sophisticated generation and her children Kay and Gerda's earnest, post-war modernism is evident in their differing views on love, marriage, politics, and Freudian psychology.
Nan's cynical view of Gerda and Kay's literary ambitions contrasts with their earnestness.
Neville contrasts her own pre-war sophistication and irony with her children's earnest, post-war directness and acceptance of Freudian ideas.
Neville contrasts her own youthful concerns with her children's more pragmatic and civic-minded attitudes toward love and population.
Evidence in the book
- I: Neville's Birthday
Nan's cynical view of Gerda and Kay's literary ambitions contrasts with their earnestness.
- II
Neville contrasts her own pre-war sophistication and irony with her children's earnest, post-war directness and acceptance of Freudian ideas.
- III
Neville contrasts her own youthful concerns with her children's more pragmatic and civic-minded attitudes toward love and population.
- IV
Nan's jealousy and cynicism toward Gerda and Kay's literary ambitions, and the tension between youth and middle age.
- III
Mrs. Hilary's children see her as a 'muddled bigot' with a tenacious, intolerant mind; she dismisses their intellectual pursuits like psychoanalysis and Chekhov.
- VI
Mrs. Hilary clashes with her daughters over politics, dismissing their views as 'nonsense' while they challenge her lack of factual knowledge.
- III
Gerda's withdrawn, artistic nature contrasts with the older generation's verbal and intellectual engagement.
- IV
The chapter highlights the clash between Grandmama's acceptance, Neville's cynical patience, and Mrs. Hilary's restless expectations, reflecting differing generational attitudes toward life and religion.
