Philippine E-Journals

GENERATION GAP CONFLICT IN THE SELECTED SHORT STORIES OF NICK JOAQUIN

Jessa Mae R Bedro | Mary Angelie J Dela Pena | Gabriel T Tatlonghari

 

Abstract:

Literature expresses myriad notions and each generation sets its own characterization, breadth and limitation. This is illustrated in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s presentation of the opposing ancient precepts, “knowing thyself,” and the “environmentally located selfconsciousness” (Soto, 2004). Hence, the attitude and behavior leading to argument and misunderstanding due to the age difference, also known as generation gap, arises. Generation gap is difference in behavior, tastes, and preferences among people of different generations. This is about the difference in perception of young people, middle-aged individuals, and seniors. Likewise, the phrase generation gap seems to explain how age groups differ in terms of choice of dress, hair style, manner of talking, among others Moreover, the phrase generation gap is widened by technological advances, especially the gap between very elderly and the youngest generation (children or teenagers). More importantly, it marks the difference in ideologies, way of life, perception and even introspection (Reinhold, 2002)