Death is a topic that has intrigued and bewildered humans for thousands of years. It’s mystery and the questions that it raises have given way to hundreds of answers and theories and speculation as to what happens after death. In Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel The Road, and the poem “Death, be not proud,” by John Donne, the topic of death is explored in similar ways. Both pieces of literature talk about how in reality, death does not have as much power as it seems, and that it is much more ephemeral than it is commonly thought to be.
In the section of The Road from pages 161-201, the main characters come across an old man who somehow, despite his seemingly weak and frail nature, has been able to avoid death for much longer than would be expected. He talks about death and how it is not as powerful as it might seem. He says how after everyone is dead, death does not exist. He says it will be there with nothing to do, and that its “days would be numbered too” (173). This concept that death has no real power or purpose once people are dead is extremely similar to the message in the poem “Death, be not proud.” The message in the poem is that death has no real power and that it is dependent on so many other factors. Like the old man in McCarthy’s novel, the poem says how once someone is dead, death is pointless and will cease to exist, simply put: death will die.
This is good. I like the quotes you have chosen for your argument. I feel like your quotes help prove your point, and the way you analyze them supports your argument.
I really liked how similar these two pieces of literature explored the idea of death and fear. I find this topic extremely compelling and enjoyed connecting the two pieces. The idea of death and it’s true power (or lack of) is cool to think about.