Dying & Death - Theme in Literature
Death is considered from many different standpoints in literature from around the world. We face death, deal with the death of a loved one, discuss the religious or philosophical significance of death, etc.
The Book Thief
Death walks through "The Book Thief," following the horrors experienced by a young girl, Liesel Meminger, in Nazi Germany. The author, Markus Zusak, uses the voice of Death to chronicle the devastation, the sickening hatred, and those moments of simple human compassion and kindness. All this is spread out upon the chaotic canvass of a world on the verge of the abyss. Read on.
Death walks through "The Book Thief," following the horrors experienced by a young girl, Liesel Meminger, in Nazi Germany. The author, Markus Zusak, uses the voice of Death to chronicle the devastation, the sickening hatred, and those moments of simple human compassion and kindness. All this is spread out upon the chaotic canvass of a world on the verge of the abyss. Read on.
A Death in the Desert - Willa Cather (1875-1947)
Read "A Death in the Desert," by Willa Cather, who writes, "He knew that she lived upon this and that her disease fed upon it; that it sent shudders of remembrance through her and that in the exhaustion which followed this turmoil of her dying senses, she slept deep and sweet and dreamed of youth and art and days in a certain old Florentine garden, and not of bitterness and death."
Read "A Death in the Desert," by Willa Cather, who writes, "He knew that she lived upon this and that her disease fed upon it; that it sent shudders of remembrance through her and that in the exhaustion which followed this turmoil of her dying senses, she slept deep and sweet and dreamed of youth and art and days in a certain old Florentine garden, and not of bitterness and death."
A Mother's Lament for the Death of Her Son - Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Read "A Mother's Lament for the Death of Her Son," by Robert Burns, who writes: "Fate gave the word, the arrow sped, / And pierc'd my darling's heart; / And with him all the joys are fled / Life can to me impart."
Read "A Mother's Lament for the Death of Her Son," by Robert Burns, who writes: "Fate gave the word, the arrow sped, / And pierc'd my darling's heart; / And with him all the joys are fled / Life can to me impart."
A Scary Collection: Philosophy of Death
Perhaps death offered some answer for Poe. Perhaps escape. Perhaps only more questions — about why he still lived, why his life was so hard, why his genius was so little recognized.
Perhaps death offered some answer for Poe. Perhaps escape. Perhaps only more questions — about why he still lived, why his life was so hard, why his genius was so little recognized.
Death Be Not Proud - John Donne (1572-1631)
Read "Death be not Proud," by John Donne, who writes: "DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee / Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, / For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, / Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me."
Read "Death be not Proud," by John Donne, who writes: "DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee / Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, / For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, / Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me."
Death Be Not Proud - John Gunther
In "Death Be Not Proud," John Gunther explores the process of death: discovery, fighting, living on, and then dying. The process becomes just a little bit easier, as humor, human kindness and courage all are woven in. More than just about dying, this memoir becomes a study of living.
In "Death Be Not Proud," John Gunther explores the process of death: discovery, fighting, living on, and then dying. The process becomes just a little bit easier, as humor, human kindness and courage all are woven in. More than just about dying, this memoir becomes a study of living.
Death is a Dialogue - Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Read "Death is a Dialogue," by Emily Dickinson, who writes: "Death is a dialogue between / The spirit and the dust. / "Dissolve," says Death. The Spirit, "Sir, / I have another trust."
Read "Death is a Dialogue," by Emily Dickinson, who writes: "Death is a dialogue between / The spirit and the dust. / "Dissolve," says Death. The Spirit, "Sir, / I have another trust."
Death of Rinaldo - Legends of Charlemagne - Thomas Bulfinch
Read "Death of Rinaldo," which is part of "Bulfinch Mythology," by Thomas Bulfinch. Here, Rinaldo replied, "I have also been the cause of the death of many of my friends, who took my part, not because they thought me in the right, but only for love of me."
Read "Death of Rinaldo," which is part of "Bulfinch Mythology," by Thomas Bulfinch. Here, Rinaldo replied, "I have also been the cause of the death of many of my friends, who took my part, not because they thought me in the right, but only for love of me."
Dying of the Light -- Quiz
Dylan Thomas wrote, "Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day; / Rage, rage against the dying of the light." But, what do you know about the deaths of some of the greatest writers? With this quiz, you can test your knowledge of how writers met their final moments.
Dylan Thomas wrote, "Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day; / Rage, rage against the dying of the light." But, what do you know about the deaths of some of the greatest writers? With this quiz, you can test your knowledge of how writers met their final moments.
Studies of Suicide in Literature
Some of the world's greatest writers have written about suicide in their novels, plays, and/or poems; but what does suicide mean in literature? How does it affect the characters, the plot, the conflicts, and the eventual conclusion? With these novels, you'll discover studies of suicide in literature.
Some of the world's greatest writers have written about suicide in their novels, plays, and/or poems; but what does suicide mean in literature? How does it affect the characters, the plot, the conflicts, and the eventual conclusion? With these novels, you'll discover studies of suicide in literature.
Taking Leave...in Literature
Literature doesn't always have happy endings ... sometimes the stories end in death, or in some other loss.
Literature doesn't always have happy endings ... sometimes the stories end in death, or in some other loss.
Til Death Do Us Part: Falling Apart
Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were friends for a time, but circumstances intervened to drive the two men apart. Find out what happened to this great literary friendship.
Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were friends for a time, but circumstances intervened to drive the two men apart. Find out what happened to this great literary friendship.