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The grandparents in the visit explained: breaking down the twist's clues & reveal.

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M. Night Shyamalan's Films Ranked From Absolute Worst To Best (Including Old)

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Spoilers for M. Night Shyamalans' The Visit.

• Loretta's strained relationship with her parents and lack of photos and communication were clues to The Visit's twist.
• Becca and Tyler had never met their grandparents before and didn't know what they looked like.
• The grandparents had strange rules, and Nana's odd behavior during hide-and-seek hinted at their true intentions.

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit has every element that makes a Shyamalan horror movie, including a plot twist that was hinted at throughout the whole movie. After rising to fame in 1999 with The Sixth Sense , M. Night Shyamalan has continued to make movies, mostly horror ones that often include a twist and shocking reveal. Although these elements led to predictable and disappointing reveals and movies, there are others with interesting twists that added to the tension of the story, as was the case of the 2015 found footage horror movie The Visit .

The Visit follows siblings Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and Tyler (Ed Oxenbould), who live with their divorced mother, Loretta (Kathryn Hahn). Loretta hasn’t talked to or seen her parents in 15 years, but when they get into contact with her, Becca and Tyler convince her to let them visit them for a week. As they have never met their grandparents, Becca decides to make a documentary film of the experience. Once with their grandparents at their isolated farmhouse, it all seems normal at first but gets gradually stranger and more disturbing, leading to a shocking reveal: the “grandparents” aren't the real ones, and they killed Loretta’s parents to pose as them .

Our ranking of M. Night Shyamalan's best and worst films includes everything from his first debut drama to his most recent thriller, Old.

Loretta Had No Relationship With Her Parents In The Visit

Loretta didn’t even take her children to the farm..

The first big red flag in The Visit that pointed at this not being a typical trip to the grandparents’ house was Loretta’s relationship with them. At the beginning of The Visit , Loretta explained that she left her parents’ home after falling in love with Becca and Tyler’s father, whom her parents never approved of. Loretta didn’t share more details at first, but at the end of The Visit , it’s revealed that she had a major argument with her parents in which she hit her mother and her father struck her, and after that, she ignored all their attempts to contact her.

Loretta’s resentment and anger went as far as not showing her children photos of her parents , nor did she make the effort to accompany her children to her parents’ house – after all, it was their first time going there and meeting their grandparents. Loretta’s estranged relationship is one of the biggest and earliest clues to The Visit ’s big twist.

Becca & Tyler Had Never Seen Their Grandparents Before

Becca & tyler had no idea what their grandparents looked like..

Not making them part of her and her children’s lives, and not having any photos of them, made it so Becca and Tyler had no idea of what they actually looked like.

Loretta’s difficult relationship with her parents led to her not talking about them, not making them part of her and her children’s lives, and not having any photos of them, so Becca and Tyler had no idea of what they looked like. This certainly made it easier for the fake grandparents to lure Becca and Tyler in , but it was yet another hint at this not being a normal trip to visit the grandparents.

The Kids Weren’t Allowed To Leave Their Room After 9:30 pm.

The grandparents had a couple of rules that had to be followed..

The first rule was because the “grandparents” were hiding the bodies of the real ones in the basement.

Once at the farm, it seemed like a quiet and calm place and the grandparents seemed pleasant, but they had a couple of rules that Becca and Tyler had to follow. The first one was that they weren’t allowed to go into the basement because it had mold, and the second one was that bedtime was at 9:30 every day, and they weren’t allowed to leave their room after that. The first rule was because the “grandparents” were hiding the bodies of the real ones in the basement, but the second one was more complicated.

Nana acted erratically at night , projectile vomiting, running around the house, crawling like an animal, and ripping the walls while naked, among other disturbing things. Leaving their room after 9:30 pm would have not only endangered Becca and Tyler, but it would have also revealed there was something wrong with the grandparents.

Nana’s Odd Behaviour During Hide-and-Seek

One of the visit’s biggest scarejumps..

With not much to do at the farm, Becca and Tyler decided to play hide and seek under the house, but to their surprise, Nana was also there. Nana chased Tyler and Becca, crawling like an animal , and when they all got out, she acted as if nothing had happened and went back inside the house. That same behavior was repeated later on in the movie, further disturbing Becca and Tyler.

Pop Pop Attacked An Unknown Man On The Street

Pop pop believed he was being followed..

Another red flag in Pop Pop’s behavior (after the reveal of the shed with piles of soiled diapers) was when he and Nana took Becca and Tyler to see the school Loretta attended when she was younger. There, Pop Pop saw a man on the other side of the street and, believing he had been following them for a while, attacked him. It wasn’t until Becca stopped him that Pop Pop realized he didn’t know the man, and though this was brushed off by Becca and Loretta as “old people” behavior, Tyler knew something wasn’t right.

Nana “Accidentally” Covered Becca’s Laptop Camera With Dough

Nana temporarily left becca & tyler without their webcam..

Becca and Tyler kept in touch with Loretta through video calls every day while Loretta was on a cruise with her new boyfriend. One day, Nana apologized to Becca for ruining her laptop as she spilled dough on it and tried to clean it but couldn’t get rid of the dough on the camera. Loretta wasn’t able to see her kids because of this , but it was soon clear Nana did it on purpose so Loretta couldn’t see them and thus tell the kids they weren’t the real grandparents.

Dr. Sam’s Visit To Check On The Grandparents

Dr. sam’s visit was a big clue to what happened to the grandparents..

Had the grandparents been home when Dr. Sam arrived, The Visit would have ended earlier.

During their time at the farm, only two people came to visit. The first one was Dr. Sam, who worked at the same hospital where Becca and Tyler’s grandparents volunteered. The grandparents weren’t around when Dr. Sam arrived, but he told Becca and Tyler that he wanted to check on them as they hadn’t gone to work in a couple of days. Had the grandparents been home when Dr. Sam arrived, The Visit would have ended earlier.

Nana Asked Becca To Clean The Oven

Nana had other intentions..

In one of the most suspenseful and strangest moments in The Visit , Nana suddenly asked Becca to help her clean the back of the oven. Becca did so to help her, but Nana insisted that she reach the far back of it, thus getting in completely. Although Nana didn’t do anything to Becca the first time, the second time she asked her for help she closed the oven to clean the outside and then opened it again, letting Becca out.

This moment is reminiscent of the tale of Hansel & Gretel and how the witch tried to trick Gretel into getting inside the oven.

Stacey’s Visit & Confrontation

Stacey realized these weren’t the real grandparents..

The second visit was from a woman named Stacey, whom Becca and Tyler’s real grandparents had helped in counseling at the hospital. As the grandparents weren’t home when she arrived, she returned later and came face to face with the fake grandparents. Stacey tried to get them to leave with her to take them back to the hospital, but they ended up killing her and hanging her body from a tree. Stacey realized these weren’t Becca and Tyler’s real grandparents , but the siblings didn’t understand her reaction.

Why Nana & Pop Pop Killed The Real Grandparents

Becca & tyler never got to meet their real grandparents..

Nana was revealed to have committed murder in the past, and they were both jealous of the real grandparents’ happiness and the visit of their grandkids.

During Becca and Tyler’s final night at the farm, the truth was unveiled: Nana and Pop Pop were patients at the mental hospital where Becca and Tyler’s grandparents volunteered, and the real ones were murdered by them and their bodies kept in the basement. Nana was revealed to have committed murder in the past, and they were both jealous of the real grandparents’ happiness and the visit of their grandkids , so they killed them and took their place.

Clues like Loretta having no photos of her parents and the kids never having met them were necessary to keep the big reveal of The Visit a secret, while others like Dr. Sam and Stacey’s visit added to the horrors that were about to be unleashed at the farm.

From director M. Night Shyamalan, The Visit follows two siblings who are sent to stay with their estranged grandparents while their mother is out of town on vacation. Realizing that all isn't what it seems during their stay, the siblings set out to find out what is really going on at their grandparents' home. Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould star as Becca and Tyler, with Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, and Kathryn Hahn making up the rest of the main cast. 

The Visit Ending, Explained: What’s Wrong With the Grandparents?

In M. Night Shyamalan’s 2015 horror film, ‘The Visit,’ the audience accompanies a pair of young protagonists on a trip that leads to more menacing outcomes than one expects from a visit to Grandma’s house. After their distant grandparents, Nana and Pop Pop, reach out to teenage sibling duo Becca and Tyler, the pair takes the former up on their invitation for a week-long stay. However, upon arrival, armed with several cameras for Becca’s documentary, the two quickly begin noticing the strange happenings that seem to occur at the house after nightfall. Thus, the kids find themselves fending for themselves as each day unravels more erratic behavior by their aging grandparents, with the night bringing something more sinister.

The found footage film builds a compelling thriller narrative that gradually boosts its suspense until the final act delivers a startling and much-anticipated plot twist that fans have come to expect from the filmmaker. Nonetheless, the same conclusive twist may have left some of the viewers with a few questions. SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Visit Plot Synopsis

In her late teens, Loretta Jamison ran away with a substitute teacher from her high school, Corin, causing a rift between herself and her parents. As a result, years later, after Corin has abandoned his family, Loretta’s 15-year-old daughter, Becca, and 14-year-old Tyler have never met their grandparents. However, their distant relationship stands to change when the old couple reaches out to their grandkids, extending a home-visit invitation. Even though Loretta is against the idea, she doesn’t try to stop her children after they decide to visit her childhood home.

As such, while Loretta leaves for a cruise with her boyfriend, her kids take the train to visit their grandparents with promises of routine Skype calls. Becca, an aspiring filmmaker, decides to document the entire thing in hopes of learning the specifics about her mother and grandparents’ falling out. Consequently, Bella and Fredrick Spencer arrive at the train station on Monday morning to pick up their grandkids with enthusiastic smiles. Their first day together goes smoothly, and as it comes to an end, the kids’ grandpa, Pop Pop, instructs them about a 9:30 bedtime rule.

Although the kids don’t think of it much at first, Becca learns the merit of following through with the rule after she ventures out for a midnight snack and witnesses her Nana, sick and frantically throwing up. Even more frightening, the morning after, the woman abruptly and manically chases the kids under the house’s crawlspace during an impromptu game of hide-n-seek. Throughout the day, the kids’ concern grows further after noticing a few disturbing things about Pop Pop, such as his lack of bowel control and tendency to attack strangers in a fit of paranoia.

The following night, Tyler’s worries grow after he spots Nana wildly scratching at the walls outside the kids’ guest room in a stark state of undress. However, after Becca asks Pop Pop about the older woman’s condition, she receives a plausible answer about Nana’s sundowning issue, establishing her concerning after-hours behavior is similar to sleepwalking.

The explanation satisfies Becca, who attempts to return to her mission to learn about her mother’s relationship with Nana and Pop Pop. Still, she doesn’t make much progress since the topic seems to trigger a violent episode in her grandmother. Meanwhile, Tyler remains weary of his grandparents’ actions and insists they should spy on them by setting up cameras in the living room. Although Becca is initially against the idea, she agrees after walking in on Pop Pop with a rifle’s barrel in his mouth.

Even so, the plan backfires when Nana spots the camera on her nightly manic episode and attempts to break into the kids’ room armed with a knife. Once Becca realizes their lives may be in danger after reviewing the night’s footage, she decides to ask Loretta to pick them up on account of the dangerous circumstances. However, the kids are in for a big surprise when they show the elderly couple to their mother from a window, only to learn that the people they have spent the past few days with are not their grandparents.

The Visit Ending: Who Are The Old Couple? What Did They Do To The Real Grandparents?

As a slow burn of mourning suspense and horror, the film reveals Nana and Pop Pop’s concerning attributes in slow bouts. At first, the behavior that the couple exhibits can be easily explained as a condition of their old age, with sundowning, memory issues, and paranoia forming the baseline. Yet, as the film progresses, the old couple becomes more and more dangerous— first toward themselves and then the kids.

Due to Loretta’s dramatic exit from her parents’ house, the woman seldom speaks to the couple, even as she regularly calls the kids. Furthermore, a seemingly innocent accident damages Becca’s webcam, robbing the mother of any visual cues. Therefore, it isn’t until Thursday morning, when Becca and Tyler have begun fearing for their lives, that Loretta glimpses at the old couple. Consequently, she realizes all this time, her kids have been living with a pair of strangers who are pretending to be their grandparents.

The revelation immediately sets Loretta into action, who tries to contact the cops and reach her kids as soon as possible. In the meantime, she advises her kids to seek help from the neighbors to put distance between themselves and the imposters. Nevertheless, the old couple prevents Becca and Tyler from leaving the house with the idea of a family game night. Thus, with tension in the air, the kids find themselves enduring a game of Yahtzee until the old woman’s incoming mental episode gives Becca an excuse to slip away.

Using the opportunity to explore the house and learn about the imposters, Becca ventures into the forbidden basement, where she suspects her actual grandparents to be. Inside, she finds all the answers to her questions as Becca’s hunch turns out to be true in the worst way possible.

As it would turn out, the imposter old couple is a pair of psychiatric hospital patients, where the actual Bella and Patrick Spencer volunteered. The psychotic couple believed they were from an alien planet, Sinmorfitellia. As such, the pair drowned their own kids inside a well that they believed to hold a passage to the alien planet. For the same reason, they were being under monitoring in the psychic hospital.

Nonetheless, the couple escaped their bounds after the Spencers revealed their plans for a family reunion with their grandkids. Envious of the other couple, the imposters, Claire and Mitchell, killed the former pair and overtook their identities to spend the week with Becca and Tyler. Consequently, the duo managed to evade outsiders anytime they came looking for them at the house and ultimately killed their neighbor, Stacey, when she realized their reality.

Soon after Becca learns this truth, Mitchell locks her up in a room with a psychotic Claire, undergoing her violent episode. Despite their earlier attempts at domestic bliss, the couple’s instincts compel them to harm the children. Nevertheless, before the older woman can choke Becca to death, the girl manages to get her hands on a mirror shard and stabs her attacker to death. Afterward, she rushes to her younger brother’s aid, whom Mitchel is psychologically torturing.

However, with his sister’s element of surprise, Tyler manages to overpower Mitchell, unleashing raw rage and bashing the older man to death by slamming the refrigerator door at his head. Ultimately, after killing the old couple pretending to be their grandparents, Becca and Tyler make it out of the experience alive and reunite with their mother.

Why Did Loretta Stop Talking To Her Parents?

By the film’s end, Loretta’s sore relationship with her parents remains the one last mystery. Arguably, the woman’s reluctance to speak to her parents played a part in the kids’ entrapment since the latter had no point of reference to distinguish their relatives from strangers. Furthermore, part of Becca’s curiosity about her grandparents stemmed from Loretta’s refusal to speak about them to her own kids.

As such, after Becca and Tyler have returned to the safety of their home, Loretta sits down for one last interview for her daughter’s documentary, where she speaks about her past with her parents. When 19-year-old Loretta tried to run away from home with Corin, her high school teacher, the former’s parents wanted to stop her. Nevertheless, the same only resulted in an altercation where Loretta hit her mother, followed by the former’s father hitting his daughter.

Therefore, Loretta’s last day on the farm gave birth to several familial complications. Although Loretta’s parents tried to apologize and solve things afterward, the woman continued to avoid them years and years into the future. For the same reason, Loretta imparts a lesson to her daughter to never hold grudges so hard that they end up ruining things. In turn, Becca, who despises her father for abandoning them, decides to learn from her mother’s mistakes. Unlike Loretta, who refused to speak to her parents, leading to regret after their death, Becca chooses to include home videos of her father in the documentary to close the narrative as a sign of her forgiveness.

Read More: Is The Visit Based on a True Story?

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‘The Visit’ Ending Explained: Family Reunions Can Be Torture

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The Big Picture

• In M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit , the main characters discover that the grandparents they are staying with are actually dangerous imposters.
• The twist is revealed when the children's mother realizes that the people claiming to be their grandparents are strangers who have assumed their identities.
• The climax of the film involves a tense and dangerous confrontation between the children and the imposters, resulting in the reveal of the true identities of the grandparents.

M. Night Shyamalan is considered a master at delivering drop-your-popcorn-level twisty conclusions to his haunting films. People still talk about the end of The Sixth Sense as perhaps one of the greatest twists in the history of modern cinema. The jaw-dropper at the end of Unbreakable ranks close to the top as well. But there is another pretty decent curveball that the director tosses up in a lesser-known movie that is currently streaming on Max. In 2016's The Visit (which is currently streaming on Max ) he plays on the hallowed relationship between children and their doting grandparents. How could Shyamalan toy with the innocence of this? It is an excellent film that deftly blends found footage with the director's signature slow-burning tension to leave audiences with yet another "WTF?" moment . Let's dig into what exactly happens at the end of his underrated movie, The Visit .

Two siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation.

What is 'The Visit' About?

Young Becca Jamison ( Olivia DeJonge ) and little brother Tyler ( Ed Oxenbould ) are sent away by their divorced mother Loretta ( Kathryn Hahn ) to finally meet and spend some time with their grandparents , Frederick, or Pop Pop ( Peter McRobbie ), and Maria, better known as Nana ( Deanna Dunagan ). They have a nice rural estate away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it feels like this is going to be a heartwarming story of two generations of the Jamisons getting to know each other. It seems a bit odd that these two preteens have yet to meet their maternal grandparents, but Shyamalan explains that nicely in the first few scenes: Loretta has had a years-long falling out with her parents after leaving the family farm at the age of 19.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Eerie Found Footage Horror Movie Deserves Another Look

The 2015 film is currently scaring viewers on Max.

Loretta is still estranged from her parents but she wants her children to have a relationship with them — she only wants to go on a cruise with her new boyfriend and needs someone to watch the kids. So, the children have no idea what their Nana and Pop Pop actually look like. And you can feel something amiss from the very beginning of the film as the two precocious but excited kids set off to meet their grandparents. The entire film is told through the kids' (mainly Becca, an aspiring filmmaker) camcorder, as they have decided to document their trip. It's clear right away that Becca resents her father as a result of his abandonment, as she refuses to include any footage of her dad in her film.

Shyamalan Expertly Builds Tension in 'The Visit'

Upon the kids' arrival, Nana and Pop Pop seem like regular grandparents with regular questions like, "Do you like sports?" and "Why are your pants so low?" Nana tends to the chores like cooking and cleaning while Pop Pop handles the more rugged work outdoors like cutting wood. Naturally, Shyamalan tightens the screws immediately when the audience discovers that there is little to no cell phone reception, so he can isolate our four players into a single space. The Grandparents seem fairly easygoing but they have one strict rule — the kids must not come out of their bedroom after 9:30 pm. The very first night, Nana exhibits some bizarre behavior, walking aimlessly through the downstairs portion of the house and vomiting on the floor. However, the next morning she seems to be just fine.

Pop Pop explains to Becca and Tyler that she suffers from "sundowning" which is a very real diagnosis that usually affects the elderly . He tells them that at night Nana gets this feeling that something is in her body and just wants to get out. Pop Pop is clear and coherent, and yet again, we, along with our two young lead characters, assume the grandparents, while odd, are nothing to fear. A Zoom call with Loretta further assuages their fear by explaining away all the strange behavior as part of getting older. It's a back-and-forth that Shyamalan expertly navigates by pushing the audience only so far before reeling it back in with a logical explanation. But soon, things become inexplicably dire and dangerous.

"What's in the shed?" Tyler asks as he looks into the camera while contributing to Becca's documentary . "Is it dead bodies?" What he discovers is a pile of used, discarded adult diapers filled with Pop Pop's excrement. The smell sends Tyler reeling, and he falls out of the shed onto the snowy ground. This time, it's Nana who explains away Pop Pop's odd behavior. She tells her grandson that Pop Pop has incontinence and is so proud that he hides his waste in the shed. At this point, everything seems very odd to say the least, but there is nothing to suggest anything sinister is afoot . Not yet anyway. Even after he attacks a random stranger who he believes is watching him out on the streets on a trip into town, you still just think that maybe Pop Pop may just have a loose screw. However, the sense that these elderly people are something more than doting parents is intensified when Nana leaves Becca inside the oven for several seconds.

What Is the Twist at the End of 'The Visit'?

"Those aren't your grandparents?" Get the heck out of here! What?! Loretta finally sees the two people claiming to be her parents and tells Becca and Tyler via Skype that they aren't their beloved Nana and Pop Pop, but two complete strangers who have assumed their identities. Loretta immediately calls the police, but it will take hours for help to arrive at the remote farmhouse. Becca and Tyler are going to have to play along with these dangerous imposters. After the most tense and awkward game of Yahtzee in the history of board games, things get really, really ugly. Nana and Pop Pop haven't laid a hand on either of the kids in the movie so far. You can feel the slow and excruciating tension that Shyamalan is building . He knows that the audience is waiting for that "point of no return" moment when it is crystal clear that Becca and Tyler's lives are in danger. Becca manages to escape to the basement to discover the dead bodies of two elderly people murdered. Nana and Pop Pop are escaped mental patients from the nearby psychiatric hospital and have killed the real Jamison grandparents.

What Happens at the End of 'The Visit'?

Pop Pop realizes their cover is blown and becomes physical with Becca. He's upset that Becca is ruining Nana's perfect week as a grandmother. He tells her, "We're all dying today, Becca!" pushing her into a pitch-black upstairs room. Meanwhile, he grabs Tyler and takes him into the kitchen, and does one of the most foul and stomach-turning things ever in a Shyamalan film . He takes his used diaper and shoves it in the boy's face. He knows that Tyler is a germaphobe, and it is the most diabolical and traumatizing thing he could do to the boy. Becca is trapped upstairs with the sundowning Nana, fighting for her own life. After a struggle, Becca grasps a shard of glass from the broken mirror and is able to stab Nana multiple times in the gut.

She breaks the lock on the door and runs downstairs to help Tyler. She pulls "Pop Pop" off her traumatized younger brother. Suddenly, Tyler snaps out of his stupor and releases the pent-up anger of his football tackling lessons with his estranged father. He knocks Pop Pop to the ground and slams the refrigerator door on his head over and over . This is significant because earlier in the movie, Becca ribs Tyler about how he froze up during a big play in a youth football game, and this time he comes through to save Becca in the final kitchen scene conquering his biggest fears.

Loretta and the police arrive and the kids run frantically out of the house. The final scene has Loretta setting the record straight for the documentary about the traumatic moments surrounding her running away from home. 15 years before the events of the film, before Becca was born, Loretta fell out with her parents over her decision to marry her teacher. The argument led to Loretta and her parents getting physical with each other, and she left home that night and never responded to their attempts and pleas to reconnect. It's the most emotional scene in the film as Loretta is feeling a huge amount of guilt at never getting to say she was sorry for the strained relationship between her and her parents or getting to possibly hear an apology for the wrongs they also committed. Loretta tells Becca "Don't hold on to anger! You hear me?" The two then share a meaningful embrace. And the final shot is of the two kids with their dad on a birthday when they were much younger.

The Visit is available to stream on Max in the U.S.

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The Visit Explained (Plot And Ending)

The Visit is a 2015  horror   thriller  directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It follows two siblings who visit their estranged grandparents only to discover something is very wrong with them. As the children try to uncover the truth, they are increasingly terrorized by their grandparents’ bizarre behaviour. Here’s the plot and ending of The Visit explained; spoilers ahead.

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Where To Watch?

To find where to stream any movie or series based on your country, use This Is Barry’s Where To Watch .

Oh, and if this article doesn’t answer all of your questions, drop me a comment or an FB chat message, and I’ll get you the answer .  You can find other film explanations using the search option on top of the site.

Here are links to the key aspects of the movie:

• – The Story
• – Plot Explained
• – Ending Explained
• – The Sense Of Dread
• – Separation, Remorse, and Personal Fears
• – Frequently Asked Questions Answered
• – Wrap Up

What is the story of The Visit?

The Visit is about two kids visiting their grandparents for the first time. They are also going there to hope and rebuild a bridge between their mom and grandparents and help their mom heal after a painful divorce. The movie is in documentary form.

The Visit is one of the most unnerving and realistic horror stories. A good thing about classic horror movies is that, after the movie ends, you can switch it off and go to bed,  knowing that you’re safe . Vampires, ghosts, and demonic powers don’t exist, and even if you are prone to these kinds of esoteric beliefs, there are safeguards. If your home is not built in an Indian burial ground and you haven’t bought any creepy-looking dolls from your local antiquary, you’re perfectly safe.

However, what about the idea of two kids spending five days with two escaped psychiatric ward patients in a remote farmhouse? Now, this is a thought that will send shivers down your spine. It’s a story that sounds not just realistic but real. It’s  something that might have happened in the past  or might happen in the future.

This is  what  The Visit  is all about . This idea, coupled with documentary-form storytelling, is why the movie is so unnerving to watch.

The Visit: Plot Explained

Loretta’s past.

As a young girl, Loretta Jamison fell in love with her high school teacher and decided to skip her hometown with him. Before leaving, she had a heated altercation with her parents and hasn’t seen them since. At the movie’s start, she is a single mom of 15-year-old Becca and 14-year-old Tyler, and she  hasn’t spoken to her parents in 15 years .

What really happened on the day Loretta left?

Loretta’s mom tries to stop her from leaving the house, and Loretta hits her mom, and her dad hits her. Soon after, her parents try to reach out to Loretta, but she refuses to take their calls, and years go by.

Meet The Grandparents

Years later, Loretta’s parents reach out to  meet their grandchildren . The grandparents are, seemingly, wholly reformed and now even help at the local psychiatric hospital. Although initially not too fond of the idea, Loretta is persuaded by the insistence of her children. While she had no intention of visiting the parents, she permitted her children to pay their grandparents a five-day visit.

At The Grandparents’

Their first meeting with Nana and Pop Pop starts on the right foot. They start getting to know each other, and other than a simple generational gap, nothing seems too strange. The only thing that seems off is that they are warned  not to leave the room after 9:30 in the evening .

The kids break this rule, and on the first night, they notice  Nana acting erratically , projectile vomiting, scratching wallpaper with her bare hands, and running around the house on all fours. Grandpa appears paranoid and hides his adult diapers in the garden shed, and the situation escalates each day.

The Visit Ending Explained: What happens in the end?

The ending of Visit has the kids finally showing the elderly couple to Loretta. She, completely horrified, states that  those are not her parents . The pair posing as Pop Pop and Nana are escaped psychiatric institution patients who murdered their grandparents and took their places.

The kids survive, kill their captors, and are found alive and well by their mom and the police. Becca kills Nana with a shard from the mirror, thus symbolically overcoming her fear of her reflection. Tyler kills Pop Pop by repeatedly slamming him in the head with a refrigerator door after overcoming his germaphobia and anxiety about freezing.

The Sense Of Dread

The elements of horror in this movie are just  perfectly executed . First of all, the film is shot as a documentary. Becca is an aspiring filmmaker who records the entire trip with her camera. From time to time, we see an interview of all the characters, which just serves as the perfect vessel for characterization.

No Ghouls or Cults

Another thing that evokes dread is  realism . There are no supernatural beings or demonic forces. It’s just two kids alone in a remote farmstead with two creepy, deranged people. Even in the end, when Loretta finds out what’s happening, it takes her hours to get there with the police. The scariest part is that it’s not that hard to imagine something along those lines really happening.

The  house itself is dread-inducing . The place is old and rustic. Like in The Black Phone soundproofing a room  could have prevented kids from hearing Nana rummaging around the house without a clear idea of what was happening, but this was not the case, as the old couple weren’t that capable.

The  characters  themselves  are perfectly played . Something is unnerving about Pop Pop and Nana from the very first scene. It’s the Uncanny Valley scenario where you feel that something’s off and shakes you to the core, but you have no idea what it is.

Separation, Remorse, and Personal Fears

What this movie does the best is explore the  ugly side of separation, old grudges, and remorse . The main reason why kids are insistent on visiting their grandparents is out of their desire to help their mom.

They see she’s remorseful for never  working things out with her parents . In light of her failed marriage and the affair that caused it to end, she might live with the doubt that her parents were right all along. This makes her decision and altercation with her parents even worse. Reconciling when you know you were wrong is harder than forgiving the person who wronged you.

The Kids’ Perspective

There are personal fears and  traumas of the kids . Tyler, in his childish naivete, is convinced that his father left because he was disappointed in him as a son. Tyler tells Becca that he froze during one game he played, which disappointed his dad so much that he had to leave. While this sounds ridiculous to any adult (and even Becca), it’s a matter of fact to Tyler. As a result of this trauma, Tyler also developed germaphobia. In Becca’s own words, this gives him a greater sense of control.

On the other hand,  Becca refuses to look at herself in the mirror  or stand in front of the camera if she can help it. Both kids  had to overcome their fears to survive , which is a solid and clear metaphor for how these things sometimes turn out in real life.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The visit: what’s wrong with the grandparents who are the grandparents.

The people who hosted Becca and Tyler were runaway psychiatric hospital patients who murdered the real grandparents and took their place. Nana’s impostor (Claire) was actually responsible for murdering her children by drowning them in a well. Pop Pop’s impostor (Mitchell) wanted to give Claire a second chance at having kids / being a grandparent.

How did the imposter grandparents know about the kids’ visit?

It appears Claire and Mitchell hear the real Nana and Pop Pop brag about their grandkids’ visit. They also learned that neither the grandparents nor the kids had seen each other. The real grandparents appear to have been consulting in the same hospital Claire and Mitchell were being treated. The two crazies take this opportunity to break out, kill the real grandparents and go to the station to pick up the children.

The Visit: What is Sinmorfitellia?

Claire and Mitchell believe that Sinmorfitellia is an alien planet, and the creatures from there lurk on Earth. They spit into the waters of wells and ponds all day, which can put people into a deep sleep. They take  sleeping with the fishes  quite literally. Long ago, Claire drowned her children believing they would go to Sinmorfitellia.

The Visit: What happened to the real grandparents?

Claire and Mitchel killed Nana and Pop Pop and put them in the basement. This information went unnoticed because Becca’s laptop’s camera was damaged by Nana, so Loretta could not confirm the imposters. Claire and Mitchel were not present every time someone came to visit, so no one suspected foul play except Stacey, who received help from the real grandparents. As a result, she is killed.

What did Claire and Mitchel intend to do?

They plan to go to Sinmorfitellia with Becca and Tyler. They all plan to die on that last night and enter the well, which they believe is their path to the alien planet where they can be happy together. This is perhaps why the grandparents hang Stacey outside the house because they don’t care about being caught.

The Visit: What’s wrong with Nana?

We don’t know what caused Nana’s mental illness, but she was crazy enough to kill her two children by putting them in suitcases and drowning them in a pond. It appears she suffers from schizophrenia as she has delusions.

The Visit: Wrap Up

From the standpoint of horror, The Visit has it all. An unnerving realistic scenario, real-life trauma, and an atmosphere of fear. Combine this with  some of the best acting work in the genre  and a documentary-style movie, and you’ve got yourself a real masterpiece.

On the downside, the movie leaves you with a lot of open questions like:

• Considering the kids have never seen the grandparents and are going alone, Loretta didn’t ensure her kids knew what her parents looked like?
• How are Claire and Mitchell out and about so close to the hospital without being caught?
• Considering they are mentally ill, how did Claire and Mitchell plot such a thorough plan? (e.g. strategically damaging the camera of the laptop)
• I understand  Suspension Of Disbelief  in horror films, but neither kids drop their cameras despite the terror they go through only so we, the audience, can get the entire narrative?

What were your thoughts on the plot and ending of the movie The Visit? Drop your comments below!

Stacey is a talented freelance writer passionate about all things pop culture. She has a keen eye for detail and a natural talent for storytelling. She’s a super-fan of Game of Thrones, Cats, and Indie Rock Music and can often be found engrossed in complex films and books. Connect with her on her social media handles to learn more about her work and interests.

Entertainment

'The Visit's Grandparents Are Seriously Twisted

The new horror film The Visit , from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan, deals with the most classic of horror movie villains: grandparents. Yes, senior citizens provide the scares in this film, said to be Shyamalan's scariest yet, and anyone who has seen the trailer for The Visit knows how creepy these geriatrics can be. In the movie, two kids head out to the country to stay with their grandparents, whom they've never met, for a week. Everything is fine initially, but then their relatives impose a bedtime of 9:30 p.m. and warn the kids not to come out of their room at that time. Of course, they do, and they find their grandparents scratching the walls, making bizarre noises, and running around all possessed-like. You know, typical grandparent stuff. It's disturbing behavior for sure, so you're probably wondering: what's wrong with the grandparents in The Visit ? Spoilers to follow!

Toward the end of The Visit , the kids discover that the elderly couple with whom they're staying are not actually their grandparents . Instead, they are two escaped mental patients who murdered their actual grandparents and took their place. The kids discover the truth after finding their real grandparents' corpses and mental institution uniforms in the basement of the house. It's a twist ending for sure, since for awhile, it seems there may be a supernatural explanation for what's going on, but anyone familiar with Shyamalan's work shouldn't be too surprised. The director has a reputation for his movies' twist endings , so here are the other times he's pulled the rug out from under fans. Again, spoilers ahead.

The Sixth Sense

Shyamalan's first and best-known twist comes from this Oscar-nominated film where Bruce Willis was dead the whole time. You obviously already knew that because everyone knows that , so I'm moving on to the next movie.

Unbreakable

Expectations were high for Shyamalan's first film after The Sixth Sense , and Unbreakable didn't disappoint. Bruce Willis returns, this time as David, a seemingly ordinary man who discovers he has superhuman powers with the help of comic shop owner Elijah (Samuel L. Jackson). The twist comes when David uncovers that Elijah is in actuality a villain, and has killed countless people in his quest to find David, whom he believes to be, as title suggests, unbreakable. Like The Sixth Sense , this is a movie where the twist was totally justified and in many ways, it made the film.

This alien invasion thriller, starring Mel Gibson as minister Graham Hess, was the first of Shyamalan's films where the twist felt a little forced. The director clearly knew he had a reputation to live up to with his ending, but the twist here ended up being the most criticized aspect of the film. Throughout the movie, Hess's daughter leaves glasses of water all around her house. Concurrently, Hess often recites his dying wife's last words to him, "Tell Merrill (Graham's brother) to swing away." Both of these plot points come into play at the end of the film, when they learn the aliens' weakness is water. Since they happen to have plenty of just that lying around the house, Merrill "swings away" with a baseball bat to knock glasses of water into the aliens. The buildup was great, though, and the twist didn't really take away anything from the movie — it just felt a little shoehorned in.

The Village

Speaking of twists taking away something from a movie. I'm not gonna lie, The Village remains the most disappointed I've ever been in a movie theater. I was a big Shyamalan fan and was super excited for The Village , but the twist left me feeling cheated. The entire movie takes place in a 19th century village surrounded by woods, woods that are stalked by supernatural monsters that won't let the villagers leave. Sounds cool, right? And it was... right up until the end when viewers learn that the village actually existed in a patch of woods in modern times and was created to shield themselves from the scary modern world. Oh, and the monsters are fake. The ending negated all of the suspense and drama the film had produced and gave critics and audiences alike the impression that Shyamalan was more interested in pulling one over on filmgoers than entertaining them.

The Happening

Possibly Shyamalan's worst reviewed film (17 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), The Happening features a toxin in the air that's causing mass suicides. Scary stuff. Then the twist comes: Plants are releasing the toxin to kill humans as a means of self defense. That's right, plants. This results in a lot of Mark Wahlberg running from the wind and trying to reason with plants, which is as funny as it sounds. The twist happens much earlier in this film than in Shyamalan's other offerings, but in this case he may have been better served saving it for the end.

As you can see, Shyamalan has had varied success with the twists he inserts into his films, and it's not clear yet how fans will react to the twist in The Visit . But hey, whatever the reception is, at least the grandparents aren't plants!

Images: Universal Pictures

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Reasons Why Parents May Prevent Grandparents From Seeing a Newborn

• Hospital Visits
• Home Visits
• Changing Times
• Sources of Tension

What to Do When You Visit

Some expectant parents say that they aren't taking hospital visitors . Others say that the grandparents won't be allowed to visit their newborn grandchild for the first few weeks or even months. Many grandparents are confused and hurt by these decisions. Why would parents do this to grandparents?

Grandparents must understand that these decisions aren't something that parents are doing to the grandparents. It's something that they are doing for the newborn and for themselves. They are creating a protected period for forming a family unit.

Grandparents may not understand such decisions, but they should at least grant that the parents are acting out of the best of motives. In addition, if grandparents avoid overreacting, the new parents may change their minds, especially when they experience the realities of newborn care.

Grandparents and Hospital Visits

When parents ban grandparents from visiting, usually it is to allow the new family to bond without any complicating factors. Here are some other reasons why parents may request that grandparents not visit the hospital:

• The mother may be recovering from birth and need lots of rest.
• The mother may not want visitors when she is not looking or feeling her best, as may be the case after childbirth.
• The mother may desire privacy as she tries to establish breastfeeding.
• The parents may not want an audience as they get used to handling and changing their newborn.
• The parents may be concerned about visitors bringing germs.

It's important to remember that new mothers are usually sent home after 48 hours. As recently as the 1970s, postpartum hospital stays averaged four days. In the 1950s, stays of one week to 10 days were standard. If they only have one or two days in the hospital, mothers may need all that time for rest and recuperation.

Grandparents and Home Visits

Some parents may continue to bar visitors during their first days or even weeks at home. Along with continuing concern about exposure to germs, these factors may also enter into their decision:

• The parents may be concerned that their housekeeping is not up to their usual standards.
• The parents don't want the burden of having to offer food and drinks or otherwise entertain their guests.
• Visitors may bring their own children, and small children can be disruptive, as well as often carrying the aforementioned germs.

How Changing Times Play a Role

Most grandparents grew up in a time when it was accepted that grandmothers would be on the premises to help new mothers. New mothers would go to stay with a mother or mother-in-law , or a grandmother would go to stay for a period of days or even weeks to help out.

Today's mothers live in a fairly different world. For one thing, their partners are more likely to help out. Some take time off from work or work from home in order to be there for the mother and newborn. The lucky ones even get paid parental leave. 

Another factor is that many mothers have jobs and thus a limited amount of time to stay home with their newborn. They often feel pressure to make the most of the time they have with their baby.

Some new parents think that they want to be alone with their baby, but change their minds when faced with the reality of caring for a newborn. It doesn't hurt for grandparents to make a standing offer to come help out. Sometimes parents who restricted visitors with a first child are completely fine with visitors for subsequent births, especially since there is an older sibling to be cared for. 

Additional Sources of Tension

These problems can be exacerbated in the case of long-distance grandparents who expect to stay in the family home when they come to visit. Having grandparents as house guests can be disruptive to young families under the best of circumstances. When the new parents are sleep-deprived and otherwise not at their best, the stage may be set for conflict.

If you are a visiting grandparent, offer to stay in a hotel when you visit. At a minimum, let the new parents make decisions about the length and timing of your visit.

Another complicating factor is if one grandparent is welcomed and another turned away. Sometimes maternal grandparents have more access to a new baby than paternal grandparents, but it can be just the opposite. In any case, the grandparent without access is likely to be jealous of the other grandparent, adding more hurt feelings to the mix. 

Grandparents who do not agree with the decisions made by the new parents should remember that one of the main jobs of grandparents is respecting boundaries . As eager as grandparents may be to get acquainted with their newborn grandchild, they should understand that it is equally important to get off on the right foot with the new parents.

Grandparents who respect new parents' decisions are likely to see their access to grandchildren expanded, while those who do not may find that access continues to be limited.

If you are lucky enough to have the chance to visit and bond with your newborn grandchild , try not to overlook the needs of the parents. Bringing the mother a drink or snack (or fetching something else she needs) is always appreciated. Good nourishment and hydration are important after birth.

Helping out with housework is important, but it can be tricky. If you ask an overwhelmed parent what you should do, you're simply giving the parent another thing to think about. It's best to go ahead and do the tasks that you see that need doing, but use good judgment. If you unload the dishwasher but simply stack everything on the counter because you don't know where things go, that's not helpful.

Most grandparents will be dying to help with the baby, but again, ​defer to the parents' wishes. Some parents will be more than happy to hand off the baby for a while. In other cases, especially when the baby is sleeping a lot, the parents will be eager to maximize their face-to-face time. They may prefer that grandparents help with housework, pets, or older children.

A Word From Verywell

Above all else, be patient with new parents. Don't be quick to take offense. They are going through a lot of changes. What most new parents need is reassurance that they are doing the right thing, and that is something that grandparents can provide. It doesn't cost a penny, but the payoffs can be enormous.

By Susan Adcox Susan Adcox is a writer covering grandparenting and author of Stories From My Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild.

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This 93-year-old Grandmother Visited Every National Park in the U.S. With Her Grandson — See Their Journey

Now, they're looking to hit all seven continents.

Brad Ryan/Courtesy of Grandma Joy's Road Trip @grandmajoysroadtrip

Brad Ryan and his 93-year-old grandmother, Joy Ryan, accomplished their goal to visit all 63 U.S. national parks — but they’re far from done. 

The pair, who completed their years-long epic adventure earlier this month with a stop in the National Park of American Samoa , are now looking further afield with a new goal to hit all seven continents, Brad told Travel + Leisure . 

“It weighed heavily on my mind when [Joy] told me she had never seen a mountain or an ocean when she was 80 years old,” Brad told T+L, adding “She’s a spitfire and very, very full of life [and] adventure… She wanted to see the great outdoors, she never dreamed of going overseas… We're starting a new era of international Joy.” 

Brad Ryan/Courtesy of Grandma Joy's Road Trip @grandmajoysroadtrip

The grandmother/grandson duo first set out on their 7-year-long journey with a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee in 2015. To get to their final park, they had to first fly to Hawaii , where they spent a couple days, before heading on to Pago Pago in American Samoa. 

After achieving the remarkable milestone, they were presented with certificates and a commemorative quarter celebrating the national park in American Samoa.

“This is just like Christmas,” the elder Ryan said in a video on an Instagram account, @grandmajoysroadtrip, used to track their journey.

Now that they’ve visited all 63 national parks, they can expand beyond. In fact, grandma Joy, as she’s affectionately known, just got her first passport at 92 years old.

“Everybody is always cheerful... and wanting to show you things you can't buy,” Joy Ryan told T+L about her adventure. “It’s really nice. It gives me something to talk about later on.” 

For his part, Brad Ryan said traveling with his older grandmother has taught him to slow down a bit. 

“We hardly ever plan anymore,” Ryan said. “We usually just go to a place and open ourselves up to any possibilities. We enjoy getting lost on purpose and it always works out.

“That's one of the advantages to intergenerational travel,” Ryan added. “There really are advantages to slowing down and absorbing that wisdom and perspective… doing the grandma Joy version of travel, I think, will serve me better in life.”

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Over the River

First Time Grandma Checklist – 21 Things Every Grandma Needs

As an Amazon Services LLC Associate, some of these items contain affiliate links, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are made to be genuinely helpful and useful.

While the parents-to-be wade through the vast assortment of products to determine what they need, I do a little bit of the same.  After all – what types of things does a grandma need? We’ve created a first time grandma checklist to answer that question. 

Here you’ll find the practical as well as the philosophical things that will make our grandparenting lives (and thus our grown kids lives) easier!

Adjust your list to the needs of your family.

Do they visit frequently but don’t stay long?

Are they arriving once a month and stay for several days?

Is their visit the highlight of your year?

Are they flying? Driving? 

Have a conversation with your adult kids and ask them what would be helpful for their visit.

In This Post

Grandma’s House Checklist

Diapers, wipes and a changing pad..

Parents can’t ever have enough diapers stashed.

They store them in the worry that they have underestimated how many they need when they come to visit you! 

Make sure you check with them on brands and size and buy exactly what they use.

When it is about time to switch to a bigger size, make sure you send your supply with them, and then purchase the new size for your house.

Pack ’n Play

Having a safe place for baby to sleep is priceless!  And as a parent, not having to lug around a Pack ’n Play is right up there too! 

There are some great options available, and they all store nicely.

Check out the Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard .

If we didn’t already own a pack and play, it’s the one I would buy.

Some Soothing Sounds – White Noise

Is baby used to sleeping with some white noise? Here are a couple of affordable solutions for your house.

Who knows, after baby goes home,  you might find that these little machines help you sleep too!

The Yogasleep machine is very small, battery operated and portable – think stroller and car rides.  

The Easysleep Sound White Noise Machine also gets great reviews. This will be the one for me.

I like it’s small size, the timer feature, and that it is powered by AC – so no worries about batteries running down at a critical time!

An exersaucer was one of my favorite purchases after our first grandchild arrived. She had so much fun in it! 

Now after a couple of kids, we are looking for a replacement, and I think we’re landing on the ORIBEL PortaPlay Baby Activity Center . 

I really like the learning toys included (not an overwhelming amount!) And that it can be transformed into a table when baby gets a little older. 

Add in the fact that the legs fold for storage, and it seems like a clear winner!

Bouncer/Rocker

What?! Put the baby down?  Yes, you will need to put the baby down every once in awhile, and when you do, these little seats are great. 

You’ll be able to keep an eye on that little sweetie while he/she relaxes in her comfy vibrating seat complete with toys and music. 

Always remember – we never leave baby unattended in these little seats!

Extra Outfits

Hit up the sale section, or a consignment store in your area and pick up an emergency outfit or two. 

It’s hard to pack enough outfits for babies! 

In fact if you’re heading out with baby, you might toss in an extra shirt for yourself too! 

Just last weekend, we saw a baby, mom and grandma in the middle of an emergency diaper change, and let’s just say grandma really wished she had a change of clothing too.

Kitchen Items

Get the kind your grown kids recommend.  

We love these ‘no bite’ cups and have used them with multiple grandkids now.

Plastic Plates and Bowls/Snack Containers

My daughter would choose some very classy colors that go with her home decor. 

But since these kitchen essentials won’t be part of our everyday look I have a ton of fun picking fun colors and patterns.

I think the kids will remember me for them haha!

Baby Spoons

My how things have changed since my kids were little. 

These spoons are part teether, part trainer, and all practical for baby’s first foods!

The Medicine Cabinet

Have a thermometer on hand. You will need it. Trust me.

I can’t count the times one of the two girls have come down with a little something while they were here.

At first we were ‘guesstimating’ their temps, but now we have a thermometer so we have facts to go on.

There are lots of options – get whatever you feel the most comfortable with.

I also stock my daughter’s preferred infant medicine here. 

Do I give it to them without asking her? No way!

But as I mentioned before, we’ve needed it more than once while they were visiting.

Not running to the store in the middle of the night is so worth it!

Don’t go crazy!  Just pick up some classics! I steer away from toys that need batteries, or the small items that are probably already in the diaper bag.

Stacking Ring Toy

Shapes for Sorting

A Soft Crinkly Book to Experience

Just for Grandma Checklist

An athletic position.

Not just for wrangling the baby! We like to say we are in an ‘athletic position’ because you just never know what a baby is going to need. 

Hold your plans lightly when they visit, because sometimes better memories may come from changing plans.

I always have a box on hand, not just for little tiny runny noses, but for this grandma when they pack up and leave.  Every. Single. Time.  But not in front of them of course!

The Power of a Praying Grandparent (Book)

If you are a grandma who prays, this book will offer lots of suggestions on how to pray for your grandkids.

We believe it’s one of the best gifts you can give them! 

A Journal or Designated Planner Page

When your visit is over, write down your favorite moments or milestones you were able to be part of.

You know – it is all the moments I was going to write down about my own kids when they were little, but somehow didn’t.  I am making up for it!

A Sense of Humor

Sometimes it’s just better to laugh.

When you are changing the diaper for the third time in a row, when your house has become a baby obstacle course, when you are trying desperately to get that squirmy body into a onesie….go ahead and laugh and delight at that amazing little creation who is making all of ‘this’ possible!

What types of items do you find indispensible to have on hand? I’d love to know!

Here’s to preparing for visits from the best little ones in the world!

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Wonderful article!!!! My youngest grandchild is 3 now. How about compiling a list for older age range. 16-3. Can’t decide what to keep, what to get rid of. We are downsizing. Time to go thru the books, and keep the favs…? Then the toys…

Thanks so much for that suggestion! We’re guessing you aren’t alone in trying to figure out the best things to keep as you downsize. Be on the lookout for a post on this subject soon!

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Grandma Joy had never seen a mountain. Soon she’ll meet Kilimanjaro.

The 93-year-old has a new travel goal after seeing all 63 national parks with her grandson

For most of her 93 years, Joy Ryan had never seen a mountain. But soon, the grandmother from Ohio plans to peer up at the highest peak in Africa, the next adventure on her social calendar. Her grandson will be by her side for the July trip, as he was during their previous quest to visit every national park .

“Climb that mountain while you can, and when you can’t climb the mountains, do what you can do,” said Brad Ryan, 42, during a Zoom conversation with Grandma Joy from his living room in Duncan Falls, Ohio, the town where they both live.

In May, Joy proved indefatigable when she and Brad arrived at the National Park of American Samoa, the 63rd and final park in their years-long journey. On the South Pacific island, thousands of miles from her home, Joy claims to have earned the distinction of being the oldest person to accomplish such a feat. The National Park Service does not track such records, but the Ryans intend to submit their achievement to Guinness World Records.

America’s national parks

“My intention was to take her to see mountains for the first time. I didn’t think that she could climb a mountain, but she rose to the occasion in ways that I didn’t expect,” said Brad, a wildlife and industry veterinarian who returned to Ohio during the pandemic to care for his grandmother. “That led to an obsession on my part of what else could be possible.”

The intergenerational duo continue to find new ways to answer that question. Their next challenge will be to visit all seven continents. While they are land mass-hopping, they will also chase down the Seven Summits. They’ve already bagged one: Alaska’s Denali, the highest peak in North America.

“The challenge for me is to get back on my feet and get real strong before we go to Kenya,” said Joy, who was recovering from covid-19 and jet lag , both of which she contracted on the trip home from American Samoa.

Travel heals a broken family

Brad and Joy weren’t always two peas in a travel pod. His parents’ divorce in 2002 fractured the family, and he didn’t speak to his paternal grandmother for a long stretch of time. Years later, she fell seriously ill. While Brad was hiking the Appalachian Trail, he reflected on their past relationship and resolved to repair their bond after his six-month trek.

In Ohio, while communing with nature and each other in Blue Rock State Park, Joy peppered her grandson with questions about his experience on the some 2,190-mile trail. During that outing, the then-octogenarian dropped the bombshell that she had never laid eyes — or stepped foot — on a mountain.

“It broke my heart to think about her second chance at life being given and then the most that she could make of that is just sitting on the same front porch that she’s been sitting on for all of her life,” Brad said. “That was when the seed was planted.”

How to avoid fatal mistakes at national parks, according to a ranger

Granny goes camping

Though Joy had experienced little of the world beyond her small Midwestern town, she was intimately familiar with nature. As a child, she’d dash across the country road to her grandmother’s farm, where she’d fish and swim in the creek and pluck wildflowers.

“We just had fun outside, wandering around,” she said.

Brad credits his grandmother for his interest in the outdoors and its wild inhabitants. “Grandma Joy was my gateway to nature and animals,” he said, reminiscing about their adventures catching crayfish and frogs.

In September 2015, Brad planned a road trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, fulfilling his grandmother’s wish to see a mountain. A rainstorm had turned the trail into a slip-and-slide, but Joy gamely gripped the cables and railings on the descent. She was equally unflappable on her first night sleeping in a tent. After toppling off the air mattress, she simply made herself comfortable on the ground. Brad eventually upgraded her sleeping accommodations to an Army cot.

“It was fun to climb the mountain. We talked to people on the way up,” Joy said. “Everybody was cheerful.”

“And rooting her on,” Brad interjected. “She got a standing ovation at the top.”

Want to camp near a national park? National forests make it easy.

After the success of their maiden voyage, they set a new goal to visit all of the national parks with a “ capital P,” Brad said. Their original number was 59, but after the National Park Service designated four new sites, they had to tweak their itinerary.

“Sixty-three national parks was a small number but still ambitious enough of a goal that would give us something to work toward over the course of her lifetime,” he said. “ I’m sure that there will be a 64th park, and if we haven’t already been there, then we can go.”

To plot their route, Brad relied on a Rand McNally Road Atlas, which he cross-referenced with Google Maps. He chose scenic roads over interstates, so “the whole journey was part of the experience.” To save money, they camped out on clear nights and slept in budget lodgings when clouds threatened rain. For meals, they ate a diet of oranges, instant ramen noodles and convenience store sundries. On rare occasions, they grilled steak or burgers, with s’mores for dessert, on an open campfire. They budgeted $3,000 for 21 parks over 28 days, with most of it going into the gas tank.

“I thought it would be cheaper to save up money and do a road trip,” Brad said.

Your guide to planning a camping trip

After their 2017 circuit around a chunk of the Midwest and the West, they spent the next six years checking parks off their list. Their most epic year was 2019, when they hit two dozen sites, including a 45-day, 20-park road trip. They closed out the year in Hawaii, when Joy was approaching her 90th birthday.

The pair left the most remote and far-flung destinations for last: Alaska’s eight parks and American Samoa’s one. Their final stop on the South Pacific island was a fitting finale for the travel buddies who discovered that their ages and generational gap were not a deterrent but an inspiration.

“In American Samoa, taking care of your elders is not considered an obligation or a hindrance,” Brad said. “It’s considered an honor. We felt more at home and more understood there than anywhere else we’d been.”

Adventures in the parks

Brad and Joy, who documented their travels on @grandmajoysroadtrip , didn’t just Instagram-and-run. At each park, they would consult with rangers and follow their guidance, often overcoming their biggest fears to fully experience the landmark attractions.

“There were times when she pushed me and when I pushed her, because she’s afraid of water,” Brad said.

In Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, for instance, Joy and Brad paddled inflatable kayaks to view the sea turtles. On the McCarthy River, in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park , they ripped down Class III rapids on a white-water rafting excursion. They boarded ferries to reach three parks — Isle Royale in Michigan , Dry Tortugas in Florida and the Channel Islands in Southern California — that were accessible only by watercraft.

“It was scary to get on and off the boat, but it was a beautiful sight on the way out,” Joy said of their ride to the Channel Islands. “I saw a humpback whale, and the dolphins were jumping and leaping.”

A veteran was plagued by panic attacks. Then he hiked 11,000 miles.

At New River Gorge in West Virginia, Brad shook off his acrophobia to cross the New River Gorge Bridge, which resembles a charcoal pencil line drawn 876 feet above the New River. Joy encouraged him during the Bridge Walk, but once they were back on terra firma, the playful poking would resume.

“She would tease me when we drove on roads with a steep drop-off,” Brad said. “She’s like, ‘Brad, those cars down there look like ants.’”

Mobility issues never stopped them, either. At Alaska’s Katmai , they followed the accessible Brooks Falls Trail to a waterfall where 30 grizzly bears were catching salmon like anglers at a stocked lake. “We could have taken a wheelchair down there if we needed to,” Brad said.

Why can’t tourists stop messing with wild animals?

At Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, they rode an elevator 750 feet below ground and entered a subterranean sculpture garden carved by the hand of time. The limestone rock formations revealed different forms, such as a cow or tree.

“It took millions of years to create these,” Joy said, “one drop of water at a time.”

Since emerging from her own cave, Joy’s universe has been rapidly expanding, one adventure at a time.

“You cannot believe what a wondrous world is out there after you’ve been in this tiny little cocoon all your life,” she said.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated what decade of life Joy Ryan was beginning in 2019. She was approaching her 90th birthday, which would begin her 10th decade. This version has been corrected.

More travel news

How we travel now: More people are taking booze-free trips — and airlines and hotels are taking note. Some couples are ditching the traditional honeymoon for a “buddymoon” with their pals. Interested? Here are the best tools for making a group trip work.

Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .

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The Best Southern Trips To Take With Your Grandkids

Spending time with your grandkids is so important. You might not realize how much your being there for basketball games and having weekend sleepovers means to them, but it's big. What better way to make memories and enjoy your grandkids' company than to take them on a trip? These are the best family vacation ideas that every member of the family will love. Whether you're introducing the kids to the wonders of Disney World, watching their faces light up at the fascinating Georgia Aquarium, or making the life-changing trip to the nation's capital for the first time, there's lots of fun to find on a family trip in the South. With these vacation ideas, you can experience equal parts fun and education with your grandchildren in tow. Make the best memories you can with your loved ones on one of these amazing road trips.

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia's capital has long been considered the big city of the South, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. Readers named Atlanta one of the South's Best Cities , and we weren't the least bit surprised. There's so much to do with your grandkids, you might not be able to fit it in during one trip! The Georgia Aquarium is a must-see, plus there's the World of Coca-Cola, the High Museum of Art, Centennial Olympic Park, the gorgeous Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the trendy Atlanta Beltline that not only offers outdoor activities but amazing dining options.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Robbie Caponetto

This family-friendly city has something for everyone. From the Tennessee Aquarium to the picturesque Tennessee Riverwalk, you can soak up the sun and the riverside views. Don't miss all the great restaurants (many are walkable from the aquarium), and be sure to cross the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge to get to the parks and shops on the North Shore.

Branson, Missouri

It's easy to forget that this bustling theater hub in the Ozarks is actually a small town (and one of the best , according to our readers). With amusement parks, waterfront activities, and shows galore, you and the grandkids will never run out of things to do in Branson, and you might not know it's especially magical during Christmastime.

Destin, Florida

Destin offers miles of fun along Florida's stunning Emerald Coast. With water parks, an outlet mall, incredible dining, and beach activities like paddle boarding and parasailing, this gorgeous coastline has endless options for the grandkids to enjoy.

Louisville, Kentucky

Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

If grandparents and their grandkids share a love of baseball, a visit to Louisville, Kentucky, is a must. That's because the city is home to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory , a fun spot for a tour and a peek behind the scenes of the famous baseball bat maker. (Plus, you get a mini bat at the end of the tour!) Catch a baseball game with the Louisville Cardinals and visit the Louisville Zoo and Kentucky Science Center for more family fun indoors and out.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

If you're looking for a Smoky Mountains getaway, there aren't many places more kid-friendly than Pigeon Forge. Of course, it's home to Dollywood , which has enough to do and see for multiple road trips. But there are also incredible outdoor opportunities to hike, bike, and more. New developments like The Island, an entertainment complex full of stores, restaurants, and music venues, and Pigeon Forge Snow, an indoor tubing winter wonderland, add to the fun.

Orange Beach, Alabama

This Gulf Coast beach town is bursting with outdoor fun for the kids. Enjoy the white sandy beaches, ride the ferris wheel, see a concert, shop, and dine at The Wharf, and enjoy fresh seafood with a kid-friendly atmosphere at The Gulf. Head over to neighboring Gulf Shores to visit The Hangout or LuLu's (as in Lucy Buffett, as in Jimmy's sister) for kids' games, great food, and live music, or Waterville USA for a day of waterpark fun.

Asheville, North Carolina

Although Asheville is a beer city full of awesome local breweries for an adults-only trip, it's a great place to bring the kids, too. You can't go to Asheville without visiting the Biltmore Estate , which is a once-in-a-lifetime event they'll always remember. From Asheville, you can easily access the famously beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway for views and hiking or biking among the Smokies, or you can kayak and raft on the French Broad River. The North Carolina Arboretum makes for a gorgeous visit, and Asheville's walkable downtown is perfect for easy access to shops and restaurants.

Williamsburg, Virginia

A trip to Williamsburg offers an educational and beautiful setting. Colonial Williamsburg is the best place to learn something and have fun while doing it. Travel back in time to take carriage rides, visit historic sites, wander through museums, and watch colonial tradespeople perform their work, among other ample opportunities. Once you've gotten your history in, visit the Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum for a wacky good time, enjoy the theme park rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, or take a river cruise to experience the city.

Galveston, Texas

This coastal city is perfect for a Texas road trip with the kids. Visit Moody Gardens' incredible pyramids filled with aquariums, zoos, theaters, museums, and a ropes course, and take a ride on an 1800s paddlewheel boat. If you thought that wasn't enough, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has its own rides and amusements, stores, and restaurants. Adults will love the beautiful historic architecture and amazing seafood thf

Helen, Georgia

If you're within road-trip distance of Helen, Georgia , and you've never been, you absolutely have to go and bring the grandkids. This tiny, authentic Bavarian village is like a nostalgic trip back in time, tucked away in the beautiful Georgia mountains. It's famously popular during Christmas, and we'll admit—the kids would adore a holiday trip here. But if you can't swing a Christmas visit, Helen is beautiful year-round , and the shops, restaurants, and surrounding landscape offer adventure at every turn.

Nashville, Tennessee

You might think the Nashville scene is only for adults (and bachelorette parties in particular), but there are tons of opportunities for kid-friendly fun. You have to make time for a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and visit historic RCA Studio B, where the likes of Elvis and Dolly Parton recorded countless songs. Depending on the weekend you decide to visit, there's bound to be an arts festival or amazing concert to see, and you might catch a Nashville Predators hockey game or a Tennessee Titans football game. Nashville has grown into quite the foodie city , so the adults will be content with incredible dinners. Bonus: Kids would love a stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, especially during the holidays.

Washington, D.C.

Every kid deserves a chance to explore our nation's capital if possible. There are some experiences you truly don't ever forget, and your first time to D.C. is definitely one of them. Of course, you have to see all the monuments (we know Honest Abe will be their favorite), the Capitol, the White House, and the Library of Congress, but that's just the start. The National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, the Newseum, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Botanic Garden are all worth seeing. Mount Vernon and the Arlington National Cemetery are both worth a short trip, and Georgetown's famous architecture is a must-see. There are a million ways to experience D.C., and not one of them is wrong.

Huntsville, Alabama

If you have an aspiring astronaut or kids who love science, Huntsville , also known as The Rocket City and the home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, should be the start of your next family vacation. EarlyWorks Children's Museum, the Alabama Constitution Village, and the Huntsville Museum of Art all offer ample educational and exciting experiences. Even if you don't make it to all the museums, you have to promise us you'll try Little Rosie's Taqueria. You won't regret it.

Orlando, Florida

It wouldn't be a list of great trips to take with kids if we didn't include Orlando. Home of both Disney World and Universal Studios, Orlando is bound to be an action-packed trip that the kids will remember forever. One of the most special memories a child can have is one from a first trip to Disney World, so who better to take them than the best grandparents in the world? Plus, Disney World and Universal Studios (plus its Wizarding World of Harry Potter) are fun for kids and adults alike, so you can create new memories with each repeat trip as the kids grow into adults.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio's famous River Walk is an attraction both adults and kids can appreciate. Not only is it beautiful for a leisurely river cruise, it's filled with amazing shops and restaurants to try via walking tour. To add in a little educational value to your trip, the Alamo is a free and interesting site to bring the kids that you absolutely have to see if you visit San Antonio . The Natural Bridge Caverns, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, The Witte Museum, Morgan's Wonderland, and the San Antonio Zoo or San Antonio Aquarium are all great options (among tons of others) for kids of all ages.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

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Long a favorite destination for families seeking off-the-beaten-path coastlines, the Outer Banks is filled with great, small beach towns and rental homes, ensuring everyone has plenty of space to spread out. Try Manteo or Duck for laid-back experiences on North Carolina's favorite stretch of sand.

St. Louis, Missouri

You know you have to see the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis, but what else is there for kids to do? Let us tell you—tons. The City Museum is full of absolute wonder for kids and adults, and there's also the Saint Louis Science Center, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, Myseum, and tons of other learning opportunities. Check out amazing animals at the Saint Louis Zoo and the incredible Budweiser Clydesdales at Grant's Farm. You can't visit St. Louis without chowing down on some incredible barbecue .

Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola is no longer a best-kept-secret beach spot, but it's no less inviting for a family getaway. Beyond the obvious attractions on the shore (sandcastle building, frolicking in the surf, etc.), there's more to explore. Take kids to The National Naval Aviation Museum to learn about planes, to Blue Wahoos Stadium for a fun-packed baseball game, and on a boat tour to see dolphins in their natural habitat.

Athens, Georgia

College towns can be great getaways for families because there's always something fun happening. Walk around Athens's historic downtown for shops and restaurants, and don't forget to visit Insomnia Cookies and Zombie Coffee & Donuts for afternoon treats. Also be sure to visit Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia for outdoor adventures and plenty of room to run around after the sugar hits.

Knoxville, Tennessee

The Sunsphere beckons from World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, where you'll find plenty of exciting family-friendly attractions. Grab a scoop of ice cream at Cruze Farm Dairy , which has a shop downtown; check out the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Ijams Nature Center, and Zoo Knoxville; and don't forget to catch a game at the University of Tennessee.

Charlottesville, Virginia

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Outdoor adventure is everywhere to find in Charlottesville, where you can launch a kayak in the Rivanna or James rivers, visit the Virginia Discovery Museum, and explore the many shops and restaurants in the Downtown Mall. No matter what season you experience here, it's always a beautiful one in Charlottesville.

Oxford, Mississippi

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This college town isn't just for students. Grandparents and their grandkids will find lots of room to roam and things to do in and around Oxford. Don't miss Avent Park and Rowan Oak to see the sights. For bookworms, there's no better place to visit than Square Books and Square Books Jr., the latter of which has storytimes and lots of children's books to peruse.

Savannah, Georgia

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New developments along the river make this walkable city an even more attractive destination for a family getaway. Start with riverboat cruises and city tours to see Savannah and learn about its history, then take a walk along River Street, buy a bag of saltwater taffy, and check out the Savannah Children's Museum or the Jepson Center , interactive spaces that kids will love.

Raleigh, North Carolina

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A great spot for a family trip, Raleigh has a little bit of everything. The Marbles Kids Museum and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences are must-visit spots for curious kiddos, while Pullen Park is the spot for outdoor escapades. It features a carousel, playgrounds, and rides via both boat and train.

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A Visit To Grandmother: A Classic Short Story Analysis

Do you love diving into classic short stories and exploring their themes and characters? If so, you’re in for a treat with this analysis of ‘A Visit to Grandmother.’ This timeless story is a must-read for anyone interested in African-American literature, family dynamics, and the power of forgiveness.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the plot, themes, and characters of ‘A Visit to Grandmother.’ We’ll explore the complex relationship between a father and son, and how a long-overdue visit to their estranged grandmother leads to a powerful reckoning.

Through our analysis, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the story’s significance in the context of African-American literature, and why it remains a powerful and relevant piece to this day.

So grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite reading chair, and let’s explore this classic short story together.

Key Takeaways

• ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ explores African American experience and cultural identity through its raw and unapologetic style.
• The story highlights the challenges faced by African Americans in society, showcasing the impact of racism on individuals and families.
• Themes of forgiveness and reconciliation show the potential for healing and growth in relationships, especially between parents and children.
• Baldwin’s masterpiece is a reminder of the power of literature to bridge gaps between cultures, creating understanding and empathy while emphasizing the importance of family relationships and communication.

Summary of the Story’s Themes and Plot

Let’s dive into the juicy details of the story and see what themes and plot points make ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ a classic, shall we?

Written by William Melvin Kelley, this short story takes us through a journey of family reconciliation and the generational divide that exists between a father and son.

The story revolves around the protagonist, Charles, who’s summoned by his sister to visit their father, a successful businessman, who resides in the city.

As Charles engages in conversation with his father, he realizes that his father has a deep-seated guilt over neglecting his family in his pursuit of success.

The father’s admission to his son sets the stage for a heart-warming reconciliation between the two, as they come to terms with their past.

The story highlights the importance of communication and the need for parents to prioritize their family, rather than just their career.

The generational divide between the father and son is also a prominent theme in the story, as the father’s values and beliefs differ greatly from his son’s.

Overall, ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ is a touching tale of a father and son’s journey towards reconciliation, and it serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of family.

Analysis of the Character of Charles

Charles’ character is intriguing and his actions create a sense of unease in the reader. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Charles is a complex character with a troubled past.

Exploring Charles’ psyche reveals that he’s deeply resentful of his brother, and this resentment has manifested in a desire for material success and a need to prove himself. His behavior towards his siblings is cold and distant, and it’s clear that he’s not interested in maintaining a close relationship with them.

When it comes to his relationships with his siblings, Charles is distant and aloof. He seems to hold a grudge against them for their perceived successes and seems to resent the fact that he hasn’t achieved the same level of success. This resentment is evident in his behavior towards his brother, and it’s clear that he’s deeply unhappy with his life.

Despite his success, he’s not satisfied, and his behavior towards his family is a reflection of this.

In conclusion, exploring Charles’ character adds depth and complexity to the story and highlights the importance of family relationships and the impact that past experiences can have on a person’s psyche.

Examination of the Story’s Themes

When examining the themes of ‘A Visit to Grandmother,’ it’s important to consider the complex dynamics of family relationships.

The story portrays the struggles and tensions that arise between siblings and parents, as well as the complicated history that can exist between generations.

Additionally, the themes of race and prejudice are central to the story, as Charles’ experiences with discrimination and his father’s own biases are revealed.

Finally, the themes of forgiveness and healing are explored through Charles’ decision to confront his father and the potential for reconciliation between the two.

Family Dynamics

You’ll notice the complicated family dynamics as you read the story, making it relatable to anyone who’s experienced similar tensions within their own family.

The parent-child relationships in ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ are strained, particularly between the two brothers, Chig and John. Chig feels neglected by John, who’s moved to the city and become successful, leaving Chig to take care of their mother and work on the family farm.

On the other hand, John feels resentment towards Chig for staying behind and not achieving the same level of success as him. This generational conflict is further highlighted by the father’s preference for John, leading to Chig feeling like he’s constantly in his brother’s shadow.

The story also touches on the dynamics between parents and their children. The father, a successful doctor, has neglected his wife and children in pursuit of his career, leading to resentment and bitterness from both his wife and sons.

The mother, meanwhile, has become emotionally distant from her children, perhaps due to the pain of her husband’s neglect, leading to a sense of abandonment from her sons.

The family dynamics in ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ are complex and nuanced, showing the different ways in which family members can hurt and misunderstand each other.

Race and Prejudice

The story delves into the deep-rooted issues of race and prejudice, showcasing how African Americans were treated as second-class citizens in the 1950s.

The main character, Charles, is a successful African American man who has worked hard to achieve his position. However, despite his accomplishments, Charles still faces discrimination and racism from society.

Throughout the story, we see Charles struggle with the reality of being an African American in a predominantly white society. The prejudice he faces is not only limited to the white community, but even within his own family.

This raises awareness about the impact of racism on individuals and families, and how it can create divisions and tensions among loved ones. The story shows that discrimination is not just about the color of one’s skin, but also about the way society perceives and treats them.

Forgiveness and Healing

Although Charles faced discrimination and racism, he ultimately found healing and forgiveness within himself and his relationships.

After years of resentment towards his mother and sister for leaving him behind in the South, Charles finally confronted them and forgave them. This act of reconciliation allowed him to let go of the anger and pain that had been holding him back for so long. He was finally able to move on and start anew.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can bring healing and closure to even the deepest wounds. It allows us to let go of the past and embrace the present.

For Charles, forgiveness was the key to finding peace and happiness in his life. By forgiving those who had wronged him, he was able to reconcile with his family and start a new chapter in his life.

It is a lesson we can all learn from, that no matter how deep the hurt, forgiveness, and reconciliation can bring about healing and growth.

Significance of the Story in the Context of African-American Literature

Growing up in the segregated South, African-American writer James Baldwin’s short story ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ is like a key that unlocks a hidden treasure chest of African-American literature. Baldwin’s works often explore the African American experience, delving deep into the complexities of cultural identity and the struggle for recognition and acceptance. He employs a raw, unapologetic style that resonates with readers and draws them into the world of his characters.

In ‘A Visit to Grandmother,’ Baldwin paints a vivid picture of the bond between a mother and her son, and how this bond is tested by the brutality of racism and the struggle for self-acceptance. The story highlights the challenges faced by African-Americans in a society that does not value their worth, and the ways in which they navigate these challenges to find their place in the world.

Baldwin’s masterpiece is more than just a story; it is a testament to the strength and resilience of African-American culture, and a reminder of the power of literature to bridge the gap between different cultures and create a sense of understanding and empathy.

So, as you’re finishing up your analysis of ‘A Visit to Grandmother’, you might be wondering if this story is really all that significant in the grand scheme of things. After all, it’s just a short story about a family reunion, right?

But that’s the beauty of literature – even seemingly simple stories can hold a wealth of meaning and insight into the human experience. ‘A Visit to Grandmother’ may be a quick read, but it delves into themes of family dynamics, forgiveness, and the lasting effects of childhood experiences.

It’s a story that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. Some may argue that this story is only relevant to the African-American experience and may not resonate with readers outside of that community. But that would be a disservice to the universal themes at play here.

Anyone who has ever grappled with family tensions or struggled to come to terms with their past can find something to relate to in ‘A Visit to Grandmother’. So, give this classic short story a read – you might just be surprised at how much it resonates with you.

Recommended Reading...

Why short stories are important for readers and writers alike, why do authors use short stories the advantages of this genre, why are short stories so hard to write understanding the challenges, what is a novelette exploring the short story genre.

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Man charged in scam that targeted N.J. grandparents

A New York man was charged in an international “grandparent scam” that preyed on New Jersey and New York residents with grandchildren, U.S. District Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Tuesday.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, New York was charged by a federal grand jury with one count of wire fraud conspiracy after authorities said he collected tens of thousands of dollars from grandparents in New Jersey and New York after they agreed to pay to help their grandchildren with legal issues.

The scam operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic and would make phone calls to elderly Americans purporting to be their grandchildren, attorneys of their grandchildren or court employees that needed money for their grandchildren’s legal issues, authorities said.

Conspirators making the calls told grandparents that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed cash for bail and other legal expenses, according to the indictment. Once the victims were convinced of the validity of the call through lies and falsehoods, they were told to provide cash to couriers that included Valdez, authorities said.

For one year, from August 2020 to August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. Exactly how much the scammers and Valdez collected was not shared by officials Tuesday.

An attorney for Valdez was not listed Tuesday afternoon. Elder fraud complaints can be reported and filed at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 877-FTC-HELP.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com .

Matthew Enuco may be reached at [email protected] . Follow Matt on X .

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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A Real Pain

Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the b... Read all Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

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• 1 win & 1 nomination

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• Trivia Jesse Eisenberg 's sophomore directorial effort after When You Finish Saving the World (2022) , both of which were produced by Emma Stone 's production company Fruit Tree and had their world premieres at the Sundance Film Festival.

Benji Kaplan : This, people, is what fucking film making is about.

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• October 18, 2024 (United States)
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BREAKING: Supreme Court blocks Purdue Pharma's opioid settlement, threatening billions of dollars in payments to victims

Supreme Court rules for ex-council member in Texas arrested after criticizing city official

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday revived a civil rights claim brought by a Texas woman who served on a small-town council and was arrested following her criticisms of a senior official.

The ruling on an 8-1 vote gives Sylvia Gonzalez another chance to bring a retaliation claim, with the court sending the case back to a lower court for further proceedings.

"No one should have to go through what I went through, and with this decision, I'm confident it won't happen again," Gonzalez said in a statement.

The case focused on the scope of a 2019 Supreme Court ruling called Nieves v. Bartlett, which said plaintiffs generally cannot bring retaliation claims when police make lawful arrests.

Gonzalez, who was 72 at the time, was arrested in 2019 soon after having taken office as a council member in Castle Hills, Texas. She had run for election as a critic of the city manager.

Gonzalez was charged with inappropriately removing a government document, identified as a citizen petition she had prepared.

She said she had not intended to take the document, which was mixed up with her other papers.

The charges were eventually dropped, but only after Gonzalez, who has no criminal record, spent a day in jail. She also quit her elected position.

Gonzalez sued, saying the arrest constituted retaliation for expressing her complaints against the city manager, Ryan Rapelye. She alleged officials had violated the Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects free speech rights.

Castle Hills Mayor Edward Trevino, then-Police Chief John Siemens and a lawyer engaged to assist with the investigation, Alex Wright, were all named as defendants.

At issue in the Supreme Court case was Gonzalez’s effort to overcome a procedural roadblock to pursuing her lawsuit.

Gonzalez’s lawyers at the Institute for Justice, a libertarian legal group, said she should be able to bring her claim under a 2019 Supreme Court ruling called Nieves v. Bartlett.

The ruling said that in most cases when police have probable cause to make arrests, plaintiffs cannot bring retaliation claims.

But, the court added, in limited situations cases can move forward if plaintiffs can show that other people in similar situations had not been arrested, even if there was probable cause.

In Thursday's unsigned ruling, the Supreme Court faulted the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for how it analyzed whether Gonzalez could bring her claim.

The lower court wrongly concluded that she had to provide a "very specific comparator" to show that others have committed the same conduct but not been arrested, the Supreme Court ruled.

The evidence presented by Gonzalez showing that "no one has ever been arrested for engaging in a certain kind of conduct" could be enough to allow her claim to move forward, the ruling said.

Justice Clarence Thomas was the sole dissenter, saying Gonzalez's concession that police did have probable cause to arrest her should mean her lawsuit cannot continue.

Lawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.

I went on a trip with my 91-year-old grandmother to her home country. It deepened my love and respect for her.

• My grandmother was born in Switzerland but left over 70 years ago. 
• I traveled with her and my mom and brother to learn about her youth and family. 
• I have so much gratitude for being able to do this trip with her. 

I recently traveled to Switzerland with my mom, brother, and grandmother to see where my grandmother had immigrated from over 70 years ago.

As we drove through the mountainside, my grandmother told stories about her youth, the members of her family, and what strength and good-hearted stubbornness it took for her to leave the country in search of a better life. We mapped the far distances she traveled, imagining what it was like to scale the mountains without the modern transportation that stands there now.

She moved to the US and left her family behind

My 91-year-old grandmother, who we lovingly call Grosi, left for the United States when she was 20. She left 10 siblings and her mother behind, struggling to make ends meet so she could have a better life and support her family. Grosi pointed out where she used to pick blueberries as a little girl, where the one-room schoolhouse was where boys learned math and science, where girls learned homemaking and sewing, and where the Post office was. We drove past where her mother's house was, imaging her mother still at the garden gate, tending to her flowers.

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I felt the weight of the country's history, being able to map back to where everything happened for my grandmother and her family. I saw the pride and excitement on her face that she could share our history and heritage with us. I could imagine her as a young girl, climbing the mountain and taking in the unchanged landscape we looked at together. The country itself felt frozen in time at moments, many of the old buildings preserved through the ages.

She showed us so much of what her life was like

Throughout the 10 days in Switzerland , we drove through different cantons, mixing family heritage and tourist locations to understand the full breadth of the country. We met strangers and ran into extended family members, sharing an excitement about being in the same beautiful place. We sat at kitchen tables with family members and lifelong friends, passing stories in Swiss German about the old days and what's happened since then, catching up like no time had passed.

We rented a car to drive through the countryside and a few one-lane roads to see as much of the country as possible. We visited and toured places like Linthal, Zurich, Lucerne, Appenzall, Gruyères, and the canton of Glarus, where Grosi came from. In a car, it was easy for us to travel together and take in the sights as Grosi narrated the places she had been. She showed us the route she would bike to work as a cook in a children's shelter, how the highway we drove on didn't exist back then, and how far away from home she'd travel. It was a reminder that as things stay the same, they also change.

One day, we took the rail built into the side of the mountain in Braunwald. Once we got off, we watched paragliders take flight from where Grosi's grandfather's farm was. We walked around the mountain town, through the church her brother helped build, and imagined what life might have been like decades ago. To see that so many elements of my grandmother's childhood were still standing where she left them reminded me of all the invisible strings that carry us through life. Her voice peaked with excitement when pointing out each location, and she was proud to share pieces of her history with us.

Ten days flew by with packed schedules filled with exciting things to do, from seeing the sights of cities like Lucerne and Zurich to spending time with family to seeing natural wonders like the Rhine Fall to touring delicious food offerings like the Kambly cookie store and Läderach factory. We make sure to see a healthy mix of tourist attractions and lesser-known spots, mixing in time with friends and family.

No trip through Switzerland would be complete without a train ride through the mountains and beautiful countryside. One day, with my great-aunt, great-uncle, and one of my grandmother's lifelong friends, we took a train ride through the country, taking in the sights of the snow-capped mountains, the old bridges, and the running waterfalls. We stopped for lunch in St. Moritz, marveling at the snow-covered mountains, laughing, and walking through the town as a family.

Every moment, I had gratitude for traveling with my grandmother and family, seeing the strength and courage it took to leave it behind. How many choices Grosi made, how many things aligned so that we - my mom, my brother, myself, and her, would be there together. The trip deepened my love and respect for my grandmother, her sacrifices to start a new life, and her strength to travel to a place where she knew no one. Learning about my heritage with the matriarch of my family was an unforgettable experience.

Watch: How the last artificial flower factory in New York City survived a century

• Main content

Couple travels the country hoping to visit every Texas Roadhouse

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KHGI) - A couple from Virginia is traveling thousands of miles across the country as part of their “Great American Steak Journey.”

The retirees have seen much of the nation and they are making stops at their favorite restaurant along the way.

Judy and Mike McNamara have been happily retired since 2017 and starting in 2003, they have been to 48 states visiting Texas Roadhouses after dining at their first location while visiting family in Tennessee.

They said the comfort food ignited their passion to keep going.

“Obviously it’s the food, that’s why you come, but it’s become as much now about talking to the people. It’s unbelievable how many Texas Roadhouses you’ll go to that you’ll meet someone you’ve seen before or they’ll know the people that worked at the last one that you’ve come from or the one you’re going to, so it’s a huge family they have,” Mike McNamara said.

He spends hours, sometimes days, planning their biannual vacations, ensuring there is a Texas Roadhouse along the way.

On Friday, they arrived in Grand Island, Nebraska, stopping at the 228th Texas Roadhouse they had visited.

There are still about 270 more to go, but they are on pace to visit 480 by the end of the year and 500 by this time next year.

“We may not ever get them all, but we’re trying,” Mike Mcnamara said. “ We’re 71 years old already. Who knows how much longer we are going to be able to spend 5 or 6 hours in the truck?”

With so many visits, you might wonder what their go-to order is.

“It is the sirloin. I’ll switch between the sirloin, the pork chop, the pulled pork and the Chicken Critters. She’s more versatile than I am,” Mike McNamara said.

He said without their Texas Roadhouse travels, life would be “dull.”

“We’d still be traveling, but we wouldn’t be meeting the people that you meet at these Roadhouses, and like I’ve said, that’s become an important part of it too,” he said.

The couple’s next stops are in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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