Monday, December 28, 2015

Death --- Really That Easy?

Throughout Slaughterhouse Five, the topic of death is brought up numerous times. This can be easily detected by the phrase, "So it goes". In Chapter Six, death is also mentioned in the same way using the phrase, but also in a new way. There is a quote that says, "If you stop taking pride in your appearance, you will very soon die. There is this much to be said for it: it is evidently a very easy and painless way to go" (Vonnegut, 145). I had to pause my reading at this quote because I really had to think about this:

  1. How can one die if they don't take pride in their appearance?
    • How is death and one's appearance connected?
    • Is how one's look the real reason people live?  
  2. How does one die from ceasing: "..to stand up straight, then ceased to shave or wash, then ceased to get out of bed, then ceased to talk, then died" (Vonnegut, 145)?
    • Is this death literal or is it more of an emotional and/or mental death?
The topic of death reminds me of the book, The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone. This book is about a wounded girl, Louise Terrace, and a boy who doesn't give up on her. Without giving away the ending, the painful family secret that holds Louise back, is the reason why the topic of death reminded me of this book. 
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 9:48 AM

    I think that by stopping to look like a living man, like a man who cares about who he is, one would die. We as humans need to take care of ourselves to survive, if one stops getting up in the morning, and stops caring weather they do something in the world, then why bother living? I think that what is being said at this point in the book, is that one must care for themselves or no one else is. Basically they are saying the when one gives up on himself, his body, mind and soul is gonna give up on him, eventually killing him.

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    1. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 12:10 PM

      If someone stops getting themself up in the morning and stops caring about themself, can't they still survive? Yes, the basic necessities are needed such as food, water, bathroom, but if those were all provided without having to get up, could someone survive?

      If one "stops getting up in the morning, and stops caring whether they do something in the world, then why bother living", are they essentially, to put bluntly, a "waste of space", and shouldn't be living?

      I don't mean to put tough questions or twist your words. I am trying to build more questions out of your response. I do agree with you when you said: "..they are saying that when one gives up on himself, his body, mind and soul is gonna give up on him, eventually killing him."

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 10:36 AM

    Death in this book just seems to be nothing more than what they say it is. Someone dies, then that's it, they move on the next thing.

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