Abstract
This paper deals with death in literature of three periods. Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein", Robert Browning's "Porphyria's Lover", and Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" are the works discussed. Each attempts to cover different facets into the mystery of death and are unified by the concept of murder in some way. The writer maintains that each is reflective of the period in which it was written.

From the Paper
"Through history, death has been an outstanding theme in prominent literature. This concept seems to both intrigue and concern many excellent authors. Through time, watching writing styles and cultural themes evolve leaves death nearly unchanged but not the way characters deal with it. We cannot change the fact we will all die so our morbid fascinations are addressed in lively stories. In the Romantic era of literature, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein portrayed life and death as one of the central themes in a quite unrealistic way. The Victorian literary works were all quite morbid and gothic, but Robert Browning's Porphyria's Lover was ..."

Tags:death, literature

Abstract
This paper analyzes the primary elements representing literal and metaphorical death as invoked by the characters in Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Joyce's "The Dead." The writer of this paper examines the metaphorical embodiments of death that are heavily present in Ibsen's novel while evaluating the symbolism in regards to death in Joyce's work which is related to primary and secondary characters.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the effect that the uncovered secrets and glorified memories have upon the characters in both works is each author's way of expressing their beliefs that death, in an emotional sense, is based on choice. This of course is the polar opposite of physical death, which is the one thing human beings have no real control over."

Tags:literature, death, comparative, symbolism, world, drama

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the treatment of the themes of death in two English poems, one by William Shakespeare and one by Robert Herrick. The paper argues that in "Fear No More the Heat O' the Sun" by Shakespeare death is approached as something positive, not to be feared but embraced and looked forward to whereas Herrick, in "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", treats death as something to be feared and avoided, viewed in a much more negative light.

From the Paper
"This paper looks at two famous poems written in the 16th and 17th centuries that both deal with the prospect of death. One is by William Shakespeare, titled "Fear No More the Heat O' the Sun," and the second is Robert Herrick's classic "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time." These two poems have certain elements in common, and others that are very different, which this paper will discuss. The first and most obvious similarity between these poems is the use of the theme of death and the inevitability of death for each and every person. In the times these poems were written, health and life conditions were much worse than they are today, and death was a common aspect of daily life. Both poems point out that although death will take us all eventually, there is still life to be enjoyed and made the..."

Tags:death, shakespeare, herrick

Abstract
This paper examines how through Ernest J. Gaines's novel "A Lesson Before Dying" and Wendell Berry's "Hannah Coulter", we can see the importance of giving the living a lesson about death. It looks at how death is viewed in both stories as a natural part of life and as something that should be used to educate the living. It shows how in "A Lesson Before Dying", this education occurs through Jefferson's character, when he is told to die with pride and therefore set an example for others, demonstrating to them that there is nothing to fear from death. It also discusses how in "Hannah Coulter", the idea of dying with dignity is demonstrated through Nathan's traumatic struggles with the fact that he watched so many die without dignity.

From the Paper
"In Ernest J. Gaines novel, A Lesson Before Dying, readers are presented with a very serious dilemma regarding the death penalty, and the concept of inflicting death as a punishment. The story is about a man who is arrested and persecuted for a killing that he, in fact, had no part in. This character, Jefferson, was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time; as a result of his bad luck, he was accused of killing three men. However, Jefferson was simply there; he did nothing wrong and took no part in this crime. The unfortunate circumstance for Jefferson is the fact that he is poor and black, and these two stereotypical factors prevent must individuals from actually believing that Jefferson is innocent. In response to the present crime, Grant Wiggins comes into the story. "

Tags:death, penaly, jefferson, nathan

Abstract
This paper reviews three different pieces of literature that all deal with the notion of death. The first is Stephen Crane's story "The Open Boat", which shows death to be a powerful force which is everywhere and cannot be denied or forgotten. The second piece is Luigi Pirandello's play "The Man with the Flower in His Mouth" where the author focuses on death through the thoughts and feelings of the man who himself is dying. The final piece is Robert Frost's poem, "Home Burial" in which the main characters find that death is a constant presence which keeps their relationship a sad and angry one.

From the Paper
"Despite the angry bitterness of the Man, Pirandello shows death to be more mentally affecting than either physical or emotional. The Man is wrestling with his own death still, and he uses the presence of the Commuter to express his dark thoughts. Pirandello's main point seems to be that death is everywhere, but we are in denial about it, until we are faced with it in a way which we cannot deny, and then we must come to grips with it, however angrily or bitterly, with whatever thoughts of murder or suicide we might have (Pirandello 8). Meanwhile, symbolized by the Commuter, the rest of us go about our lives as if we are immortal."

Tags:poetry, prose, play, frost, pirandello, crane, dying, loss

Abstract
How we view death is often determined by how we view life. This paper examines how two stories that illustrate opposite points of view regarding this subject are William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Francois Voltaire's "Candide." It looks at how with Hamlet, Shakespeare presents us with a character whose life is totally disrupted and for all intents and purposes, destroyed by death. From the onset of the play, Hamlet is forced to deal with death. In contrast, it shows how Voltaire looks at death in a completely different way through the theme of resurrection. With "Candide," we see how death hardly has an impact on the characters at all and how this notion is emphasized through the resurrection of Pangloss, Cunegonde and her brother, the baron.

From the Paper
"The physical aspect of death strikes Hamlet when he discovers Yorick's skull. The skull is a very real symbol of death that leaves a lasting impression in Hamlet's mind. In a very real sense, Hamlet has touched death. We see the impact this scene has on Hamlet when he says, "Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs?" (Shakespeare V.i.164-5). Hamlet sees the skull but he also sees Yorick very clearly. This moment leads him to consider the fact that all human beings end their lives in this fashion, including the politician to the pauper. Hamlet realizes that even in death, Caesar "turned to clay" (V.i.185)."

Tags:pangloss, cunegonde, yorick, resurrection

Abstract
This paper explores the presentation of death in three poems, which are Randall Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner", John Keats "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" and "Pardon" by Richard Wilbur. It is shown that through presenting an encounter with death as an event from which one "awakens", that the three writers wish their readers to also "awaken" to the reality of death.

Abstract
In this paper, these three tales of youthful beauty and vigor represent the energy of youth in relation to immortality. Youth defers the idea of death, as young people tend to think themselves immortal in their beauty and high energy. The paper shows that these aspects of character are all represented through Fitzgerald, Williams and Penn in presenting stories of the tragedy that ensues through youthful bravado. In this manner, the premise of youthful death is revealed within this study, reflecting the hopes and tragedies of youth in these classic stories.

From the Paper
"This study will examine the nature of death and youth within the context of literature and a cinematic perspective. By analyzing the works of Fitzgerald, Williams, and Penn, one can understand how death and beauty are part of dramatic scope of death at an early age. By analyzing the social and character content of these major works of art, one can realize the worship of youth represented through the various tragedies of life that bring about a youthful death. The youthful vigor of young men and women in the novel The Great Gatsby are reflected in how the main characters approach life from an elitist point of view."

Tags:williams, fitzgerald, penn

Abstract
This paper will cover the themes of death in both the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickinson in the scope of a literary analysis. By understanding the ideas that lie behind their works in the symbolism that they produce, we can find why they used these themes in their work. A better understanding of their approaches to death will also be presented to reveal the meanings they lend to them.

Abstract
This paper examines how the theme of death is depicted in William Cullen Bryant's poem "Thanatopsis" and Emily Dickinson's poem "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died."

From the Paper
"William Cullen Bryant's "Thanatopsis" is a meditation about death. In this poem, the narrator uses a gentle voice and tells us that we should not fear death but rather consider it path to better things. Instead if wasting time worrying about death we should look to nature and discover a positive outlook about it. The poet tells us that we can learn from "Earth and her waters, and the depth of the air" (Bryant 16). The poet is addressing those who are particularly troubled by death, knowing and fearing that one day they will see the "all-beholding" sun (18) and the "Earth that nourished thee, shall claim/They growth, to be resolved to earth again" (22-3). The poet is suggesting that when we look to nature, we can find consolations to death. "

Tags:inspirational, thought, better, awaiting, die, nature, sensory, sound, buzzing, separation