Retirement is a minor theme in The Ambition; however, that act sets the entire story in motion. It is clear that had Giuseppe, the patriarch of the Cippione family, not retired when he did, the story would have evolved differently.
What is retirement? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as: “Withdrawal from one’s position or occupation or from active working life.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as: “The act of leaving your job and stopping working, usually because you are old.”
When Giuseppe immigrated to Canada, his life became consumed with work. After all, he left his beloved Italy hoping for a better life and working was the gateway to that life. He worked long and hard for over forty years with little thought about luxury until his college-educated sons insisted he retire.
What did Giuseppe do when he retired physically strong in his early sixties? What do seniors do with their lives after they retire? Many have found fun, rewarding things to do with their time.
Establishing and developing a hobby that you are passionate about is a great way to spend some of your time in retirement. A report by Statista states that the six most popular hobbies retirees participate in are: watching TV, reading, computer/Internet, spending time with the family, walking/jogging, and gardening.
Giuseppe did not participate in any hobbies. Reading the story will tell us what became of him.