Is Death Destroying Society or Motivating Change?

He will die and so now he must enjoy his last moments as much as possible before the war takes his life away. Hays relates that, “Hemingway’s emphasis is not on death, but the necessity of living life to the fullest before death takes us” (19). While this statement is true for a character like Robert Jordan, Pablo does not value the last moments of life as Robert Jordan does. Pablo is afraid of what follows him into death; he will leave behind Pilar and his horses but that is of little importance. Pablo has killed; he has seen the disgusting aspects of death and, as such, he does not wish to experience such.

In the novel, DeLillo attempts to show that modern life ceaselessly endeavors to conceal death from people's view behind its magnanimity and decorum. This theme is best articulated in the characterizations of Jack and his ... ... middle of paper ... ...h; but his belief proves to be futile. In contrast to his proposition about Hitler, all of the characters are driven by the fear of death in the event of the airborne toxicity. In fact, Jack's perception of death is different from others'. Though different characters view death from different point of views and perspectives, their reactions to the pending death are natural.

The philosophical debate begins as Socrates states that a true philosopher “has reason to be of good cheer when he is about to die”, although suicide is not acceptable. Cebes is confused by what seems to be a contradiction because for those who would consider death a blessing, cannot take their own lives, but must wait for their lives to be taken from them. Socrates explains that the “gods are our guardians, and that we are a possession of theirs”, and so have no right to harm ourselves. True philosophers spend their entire lives preparing for death and dying, so it would be inappropriate if they were to be sad when the moment of death finally arrived. “I am afraid that other people do not realize that the one aim of those who practice philosophy in the proper manner is to practice for dying and death.” While the body desires pleasures of the flesh, the soul desires wisdom.

It is a cycle of birth, old age, illness and death. When one’s dead, a new life comes about almost instantaneously. But, while we are still alive, we fear death as it is a mystery: nevertheless we do not like talking about it in a way parallel to discussions about ill-health. We avoid talking about it and view it as abhorrent or bad luck. It is a natural process that no one can deny or avoid, yet we all exist in the same way, whence we come and depart.

The son’s transformation through this shows his fear of death for himself and his father to peace when the son utters, “I am not afraid for my father/…[and] his not afraid for my life, either,” communicating the idea of death being something that will happen no matter what. Death may be one of the most common fears, but fear will never hurt more than regret for one that does not live their lives to the fullest. “The Hospital Window” fulfills its purpose of helping others start to understand death in a superb way. Works Cited Dickey, James. “The Hospital Window”.

He simply will not compromise with the world, and he will pay whatever price that decision exacts from him, even though as his murderous career continues he becomes increasingly aware of what it is costing him. It seems clear that what his murder has cost him is the very thing that made him great in the first place. For no soon... ... middle of paper ... ...use he has any desire to win but because wants to take charge of the final event, his own death. The life he has created for himself leaves him with nothing else to do. This last point about Macbeth's bringing about his own death is an important element in his tragedy.

It is not death that he fears for he perceives death as a release; the problem is death through suicide. Hamlet makes a philosophical approach to the question of whether or not it is nobler to endure life’s hardships or overcome pain an agony. Despite the fact that life can be treacherous, Hamlet foregoes suicide because the afterlife may be worse if a person takes his own life. Hamlet also talks about life long suicide, doing nothing and allowing life to pass by. Hamlet feels as if he has resorted to this passive mode.

However, the two men share very different views on death itself in their own personal lives.Meursault shows impartiality to death and accepts it as an everyday part of existence, as seen in the dismissal of his mother’s death and continuing on afterwards as if nothing had changed. Another example is when Meursault is faced with his own death sentence, Meursault considers and accepts his death saying, “That meant, of course, I was to die. Sooner than others, obviously. “But,” I reminded myself, “it’s common knowledge that life isn’t worth living, anyhow.” And, on a wide view, I could see that it makes little difference whether one dies at the age of thirty or threescore and ten—since, in either case, other men and women will continue living, the world will go on as before...Once you’re up against it, the precise manner of your death has obviously small importance.” (pgs 70-71) This is an example a man who is not afraid of death, instead, is accepting of it and liberated by it as a true existentialist would. Juan Pablo Castel however, is an example of an existentialist man who fears death and the uncertainty brought along by it.

An unnatural obsession and fear of death can lead to an inactive and deadened society, it is important to find a way to overcome these effects to cause good to come of the inevitable end of life. Fearing death is ongoing because death cannot be avoided. Also, what comes after death is unseen. The effects of fearing death can sometimes be a positive force on people’s behavior, because it directs them to do good deeds in order to have a good reward in an afterlife. Some people who fear death and do not believe in an afterlife may spend every second of their lives indulging in the beauties of this life, without considering consequences.

“I did not understand why death had come to one so young.” Anaya’s grandfather knew he couldn’t romanticize death. He told the plain truth to Anaya and this helped more than counseling or grief sessions ever could. Anaya was taught not fear death because it is natural. “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”(Mark Twain) Everything dies, death can’t be taken back.