Didier Eribon: A moving portrait about his mother's life
Didier Eribon: A moving portrait about his mother's life
The challenges in nursing homes and the fate of simple people
In dealing with a socially important topic, the sociologist and author Didier Eribon has urged his mother's life story in his new book “A Workers”. Eribon not only tells of his mother's difficulties, but also illuminates the grievances in nursing homes that are the last stop of their lives for many old people.
an urgent portrait of a worker
Eribon, born in 1953, represents his mother's life in his work, which as a simple worker never had real perspectives. From her childhood in the orphanage to a life full of hard work, there were constant challenges and deprivation. He not only describes her personal fate, but also cultural and social structures that contribute to the marginalization of the working class.
the reality in nursing homes
A central theme of the book is the inhumane conditions in nursing homes. Eribon shows that many elderly people often have no dignity, and sharply criticizes the system that legitimizes the "structural abuse". The indictment is clear: "The system is immoral and the dehumanization of the old people is unbearable". The author highlights the reality of care, in which many residents do not even receive the basic care they need.
The social meaning of Eribon's work
Eribon's book is not only a tribute to his mother, but also a call to honor the lives of simple people. He asks how the social environment from which one comes, influences the opportunities for self -realization. He illuminates how racism and social inequality can be experienced in the labor movement and how these settings are inherited across generations.
anger and empathy
The anger about the grievances in nursing can be read from the lines of the book. Nevertheless, the author succeeds in describing his personal relationship with his mother with empathy and respect. In a little ray of hope, he describes how his mother experiences love again at the age of 80, which leads to confusion within the family. This fate is another expression of their humanity and the needs that exist in old age.
an appeal to society
Didier Eribon calls on “a worker” not to ignore the stories of people from the working class, but to give it a face. His story is not only a personal, but also a universal one who stimulates readers to think about social justice. It is up to us to question the shocking conditions in finding and standing up for change.
The book is not only a livelihood of memories of a mother, but also an urgent reference to the need to honor the life path of all those who are on the sidelines of society. Didier Eribon has created a work that both touched and stimulates thought.
- Nag