Bridging the Gap:
Exploring Themes of
Generation Gap in
‘The Intern’
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PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya
Pangode.
A project Report on
Research on Generation Gap dealt
within movie:
The Intern (2015)
For
Project Work, Session Ending, English Core
By Amritha MR, Ashtami S Chand, Dekshina
RR and Nandana Dileep.
CLASS XI A (2023-24)
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Certificate of
Completion
This is to certify that the Project Report title
Research on Generation Gap dealt within
movie: ‘The Intern’, English core, is a bona
fide work carried out by Nandana Dileep,
Amritha MR, Ashtami S Chand, Dekshina
RR of class XI A of PM SHRI Kendriya
Vidyalaya Pangode, for fulfillment of
project work(2023-24).
Principal: Teacher Guide:
Shri Rakesh K Smt Raji
Date:
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Acknowledgement
A project is a golden opportunity for learning and
self-development. We consider ourselves fortunate
and privileged to have such wonderful mentors guide
us through the journey for the completion of the
project.
Our sincere thanks to Mr. Rakesh K, Principal, PM SHRI
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pangode, who despite being
extraordinarily busy took time out to address us and
guide us.
Our heartfelt gratitude to our Teacher Guide, Mrs. Raji,
for her patience and belief in us. Her exemplary
investment in the complete process, constant
encouragement and insightful feedback helped us
achieve our objective/s.
We would also like to thank The Principal and faculty of
PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Pangode, for allowing us to
conduct our research amidst them.
Lastly, we would like to thank our family members
whose support helped us to complete the project
within the deadline.
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Objectives
● To Analyze Intergenerational Relationships
● To Identify Generational Differences:
● To Explore Workplace Dynamics
● To Assess Communication Challenges:
● To Examine Themes of Mutual Learning and
Growth
● To Discuss Implications for Real-Life Situations:
towards aging and generational diversity.
● To Draw Conclusions and Insights:
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Index
S.No Topic Page
No.
1. Objective 5
2. Introduction 7
3. Report 11
4. Interviews 13
5. Live Examples 15
6. Reflection 18
7. Bibliography 20
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Introduction
In the world of movies, few stories capture the ups
and downs of different generations working
together like "The Intern," directed by Nancy Meyers.
Released in 2015, this movie takes us to the busy
streets of New York City and shows us how
traditional and modern ways of thinking collide in a
fast-paced workplace.
"The Intern" is all about understanding the
differences between older and younger people and
how they work together. Through its characters and
story, the film helps us see how people from
different generations can learn from each other
and become friends.
Through our project, we aim to explore the ideas of
tradition versus new ways, experience versus
flexibility, and wisdom versus ambition that are
shown in the movie. We want to see how these
themes relate to our own lives and the world we live
in today.
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More About the Movie
"The Intern" is a movie made in 2015 by Nancy Meyers.
It's about the gap between generations and how
people work together. The main character, Ben
Whittaker, played by Robert De Niro, is a 70-year-old
man whose wife has died. He starts working as an
intern at an online fashion store owned by Jules Ostin,
played by Anne Hathaway. Ben is old-fashioned, but
he tries to fit into the fast-paced modern tech world of
the company. The movie shows the funny and difficult
parts of Ben learning to work in this new environment.
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Ben and Jules have different ideas about work and life
because they are from different generations. Ben has
been working for a long time and has old-fashioned
ideas, while Jules is younger and more modern. They
learn from each other, which shows how people from
different generations can work together and
understand each other. The movie is heartwarming
and teaches us that we can learn and grow by working
with people who are different from us. It shows the
importance of understanding and working together,
even if we come from different backgrounds.
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About the Generation
Gap in the Movie.
"The Intern" effectively portrays the concept of a
generation gap through the relationship between
the main characters, Ben Whittaker and Jules Ostin.
Ben, a 70-year-old retiree, represents the older
generation with traditional values, while Jules, a
young and ambitious entrepreneur, represents the
younger generation with a modern outlook.
Throughout the film, the generation gap becomes
apparent in various ways:
1. Communication Styles: Ben's approach to
communication is more formal and respectful,
reflecting the etiquette of his generation. In
contrast, Jules communicates more informally and
directly, reflecting the communication style of
younger generations.
2. Work Ethic: Ben's work ethic is rooted in
traditional values of loyalty, dedication, and
perseverance. He believes in putting in the hours
and going above and beyond to support his
colleagues. On the other hand, Jules embodies the
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modern work ethic of efficiency, innovation, and
work-life balance, often juggling multiple tasks
simultaneously.
3. Approach to Problems: When faced with
challenges, Ben tends to rely on his life experience
and wisdom to find solutions, while Jules often turns
to technology and data-driven strategies.
4.Technology and Social Media: Ben is portrayed as
technologically challenged, struggling to navigate
modern gadgets and social media platforms. In
contrast, Jules is portrayed as technologically
proficient, utilizing digital tools and social media to
manage her business and pe
The movie shows how people of different ages can
become friends and teach each other important
things. Ben and Jules, who are from different
generations, become friends and learn from each
other. They learn things that help them in their
personal and work lives. "The Intern" movie
celebrates how working together and being friends
with people of different ages can help everyone
grow and learn.
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Report
The movie "The Intern" got us thinking about how
different generations get along and work together.
Seeing Ben and Jules on screen made us realize
how their friendship and struggles reflect what
happens in real life between older and younger
people.
Watching the movie made us want to learn more
about this generation gap. We wanted to
understand how it affects our lives and how we can
bridge the gap between generations.
As part of our project, we talked to people from our
generation about their experiences with the
generation gap. We asked them questions about
how they get along with older and younger people,
both at work and in their personal lives.
From these conversations, we learned that listening,
being patient, and understanding each other's
perspectives are really important in bridging the
gap. People also talked about how technology and
changes in society have influenced how different
generations interact with each other.
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In the end, our interviews showed us that the
generation gap is something we all deal with in our
daily lives. But by being open-minded and
respectful of each other, we can build better
relationships and understand each other better.
"The Intern" reminded us that even though we come
from different generations, we can still learn a lot
from each other and work together to make our
communities stronger and more inclusive.
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Interviews
Dekshina (Interviewer): What does the term
"generation gap" mean to you, and do you feel it
exists between your generation and the older ones?
Ashtami: The generation gap, to me, is the
difference in perspectives and experiences
between our generation and the older ones. Yeah,
it's definitely there.
Dekshina (Interviewer):Can you share a specific
situation where you felt the generation gap in
action?
Amritha: Well, there's this thing about social media.
Our parents often don't get why we're so invested in
it, and it leads to some misunderstandings.
Dekshina (Interviewer):Do you think the generation
gap is more pronounced in certain aspects of life,
like culture, values, or communication styles?
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Nandana: Yeah, definitely in values. Our views on
things like equality and social issues can be quite
different from our parents'.
Dekshina (Interviewer): Lastly, what's one piece of
advice you would give to older generations to
improve understanding between the age groups?
Ashtami: Listen more. Sometimes, it feels like they're
not really listening to what we have to say.
Nandana: And try to understand that the world has
changed a lot since they were our age. We're
dealing with a whole new set of challenges.
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Live Examples of
Generation Gap
experienced in society.
Generation gap experiences are common in society
and can manifest in various ways. Here are some
live examples:
1. Technology Divide: Younger generations, such as
Generation Z and Millennials, often have a deeper
understanding of technology and its applications
compared to older generations like Baby Boomers
and Generation X. This gap in technological
proficiency can lead to communication barriers
and differences in understanding of digital
platforms and devices.
2. Workplace Dynamics: In many workplaces, there
is a noticeable generation gap in communication
styles, work preferences, and attitudes toward
authority. Younger employees may prefer flexible
work schedules and collaborative work
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environments, while older employees may value
traditional hierarchies and structured routines.
3. Social and Cultural Norms: Generational
differences can also be observed in social and
cultural norms. For example, attitudes toward
marriage, family, and gender roles may vary
significantly between generations. Additionally,
younger generations may have different views on
social issues such as climate change, diversity, and
inclusivity compared to older generations.
4. Political Ideologies: Generational gaps can be
seen in political ideologies and voting patterns.
Younger generations may prioritize issues such as
environmental sustainability, social justice, and
healthcare reform, while older generations may
prioritize economic stability, national security, and
traditional values.
5. Communication Styles: Differences in
communication styles can contribute to the
generation gap. Younger generations often prefer
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digital communication channels such as texting,
social media, and email, while older generations
may prefer face-to-face communication or phone
calls.
6. Consumer Preferences: Generational differences
also influence consumer preferences and
purchasing behaviors. For example, younger
generations may be more inclined to purchase
products and services online, while older
generations may prefer brick-and-mortar stores
and traditional shopping experiences.
7. Educational Attitudes: Attitudes toward
education and learning can vary between
generations. Younger generations may prioritize
experiential learning, online education, and skill
development, while older generations may value
traditional academic pursuits and formal degrees.
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Reflection.
"The Intern" is a heartwarming movie that gives us a
fresh look at how people from different generations
can work together. In the movie, there's this guy
named Ben who's been around for a while and
knows a thing or two about life and work. He
decides to become an intern at a tech company
where Jules, a young and driven CEO, calls the
shots.
As the story unfolds, we see Ben bringing his
experience and wisdom to the table, but not
everyone is quick to appreciate it. Some of his
younger coworkers doubt his abilities and don't take
him seriously at first. However, Ben doesn't let that
stop him. He shows them that age doesn't
determine your worth and that there's a lot they can
learn from each other.
One of the best parts of the movie is watching the
friendship between Ben and Jules grow. Despite
their differences in age and background, they form
a bond that goes beyond the workplace. They
support each other through tough times, share
laughs, and learn valuable lessons along the way.
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"The Intern" also touches on important themes like
work-life balance and gender equality. It shows us
that it's okay to take a step back sometimes and
prioritize our personal lives. Jules, for example,
struggles to juggle her responsibilities at work with
her family life, but she learns that it's important to
find a balance that works for her.
Another thing the movie explores is the power of
human connection in a world that's becoming
increasingly digital. In an age where technology
seems to rule everything, "The Intern" reminds us of
the value of face-to-face interactions and genuine
relationships.
Overall, "The Intern" is a touching and
thought-provoking movie that leaves a lasting
impression. It teaches us about the importance of
embracing our differences and working together to
achieve common goals. With its blend of humor,
heart, and insight, it's a movie that speaks to
audiences of all ages and reminds us of the power
of collaboration across generations.
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Bibliography
1. The Intern. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2015. (Film)
2. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, January 20).
Generation gap. In Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gen
eration_gap&oldid=1197313405
3. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, February 17).
Baby boomers. In Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bab
y_boomers&oldid=1208430982
4. McKenna, Amy. "Generation X". Encyclopedia
Britannica, 1 Feb. 2024,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Generation-
X.
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