Death Be Not Proud is the story of Johnny Gunther, a boy who discovers that he has a brain tumor. The memoir was written by Johnny's father, which adds another tragic dimension to the tale of a young boy, who courageously faces death. What is it like to face suffering, loss of a future, and death? How does this book compare to other depictions of death in literature? Take a look at these questions for study and discussion.
- What is important about the title? Would your attitude about the story have been different--as you started to read the memoir--if the title was something else?
- What are the conflicts in Death Be Not Proud? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional)?
- How does John Gunther reveal character in Death Be Not Proud? Do the characters come to life? Do they seem "real"?
- What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
- Compare/contrast John Gunther's Death Be Not Proud with John Donne's Death Be Not Proud. Why do you think Gunther used the same title?
- Do you find the characters likeable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?
- Discuss some of the symbols in Death Be Not Proud.
- Does the memoir end the way you expected? How? Why?
- What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
- How do you think your understanding or appreciation of this book would have been different if you'd read it at a different time in your life? (When you were older/younger? Or, if you'd just experienced a death?)
