The intention of this term paper is to describe human behavior in the face of imminent death in general and, based on this topic, to analyze and compare it by using two short stories. The first story, "The Last Night of the World" by Ray Bradbury, deals with the simultaneous death of all people on the same day. All adults seem to have had the same dream that the world would end on this night. The story is about a couple and how they spend their final evening together. It specifically expresses their behavior and thoughts in their probably last hours.
The second story, "The Knowers" by Helen Phillips, is about the prediction of the exact date of someone’s death. The author describes a couple with very different opinions on whether they want to know their personal date. Against her husband’s wish, the wife decides to learn her date of death and only reveals the day and month to him, but not the year. The behavior, thoughts, and feelings of the characters during the years until the expected date are described precisely. Both short stories are primarily concerned with how the characters behave after knowing the exact date of their deaths. There are many similarities, but also some differences, which are compared after the analysis of each individual story.
Table of Contents
I. What would happen if we were told the exact date of our death?
II. Knowing the date of death and its effects on human behaviour
1. How does human behaviour change in the awareness of the date of death?
2. "The Last Night of the World" by Ray Bradbury
2.1 Summary
2.2 Analysis of the setting, the characters, and their behaviour
2.3 Influence of the historical situation on the characters’ behaviour
2.4 The effects of language
2.5 Meaning of the story
2.6 Ray Bradbury’s biography and influences on his writing
3. "The Knowers" by Helen Phillips
3.1 Summary
3.2 Analysis of the setting, the characters, and their behaviour
3.3 Influence of the timeline on the characters’ behaviour
3.4 The effects of language
3.5 Meaning of the story
3.6 Helen Phillips’ biography and influences on his writing
4. Comparison of the effects on human behaviour in the two short stories
III. Should we perhaps all know our date of death to live a better life?
IV. Bibliography
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how the awareness of a predetermined date of death impacts human psychology and behavioral patterns. By analyzing two specific literary works, the study explores whether such knowledge triggers despair, nihilism, or a more conscious, peaceful acceptance of one's remaining time.
- Psychological reactions to imminent mortality
- The impact of predetermined death dates on daily behavior
- Comparative analysis of literary characters facing fixed endpoints
- The role of routine and simple pleasures in the face of death
- Societal and historical influences on perceptions of mortality
Excerpt from the Book
2.3 Influence of the historical situation on the characters’ behaviour
"The Last Night of the World" is set in October 1969, but was first published in 1951. In the story, however, Bradbury does not refer to the time in which it is set, but rather reflects the historical context, thinking, and way of life of the early 1950s.
This time was marked by the end of World War II, the United States’ participation in the Korean War and the beginning of the Cold War, in which the US and USSR competed in developing nuclear and hydrogen bombs. "The woman’s fear about atomic and hydrogen bombs in the story directly reflect the deep-rooted anxiety and very real threats […] [of] this time period." The characters’ calm behaviour shows that they seem to accept that the destruction that has been implied for years is now occurring. At the end of the story, the passage "We’re all tired" could be an indication that they are exhausted and tired from all the years of war anxiety.
Furthermore, the couple’s behaviour clearly reflects the role models of a family in the 1950s. The father made the majority of the decisions for his family and children were not integrated in any adult themes. In the conversation with the wife, the man is dominant, and the woman accepts most of his answers as correct because she trusts him and feels subordinate to him, as was common at this time, and his answers also seem to reassure her.
Summary of Chapters
I. What would happen if we were told the exact date of our death?: This introduction presents the central research question and context regarding human behavior when confronted with their mortality.
II. Knowing the date of death and its effects on human behaviour: This section investigates how awareness of one's lifespan affects psychological states and choices, providing a theoretical foundation for the subsequent literary analysis.
1. How does human behaviour change in the awareness of the date of death?: This chapter summarizes studies on mortality awareness, contrasting negative nihilistic behaviors with the calming effect of acceptance.
2. "The Last Night of the World" by Ray Bradbury: This chapter analyzes Bradbury's portrayal of a couple facing humanity's collective end, emphasizing the theme of peaceful acceptance.
2.1 Summary: Provides an overview of the plot concerning a couple during the final night of the world.
2.2 Analysis of the setting, the characters, and their behaviour: Examines the stable, calm behavior of the protagonists amidst an extreme, world-ending situation.
2.3 Influence of the historical situation on the characters’ behaviour: Discusses how the Cold War atmosphere and 1950s gender roles shaped the characters' interactions.
2.4 The effects of language: Analyzes Bradbury's use of simple, scenic prose to mirror the quiet calm of his characters.
2.5 Meaning of the story: Explores the story's focus on relationships and simplicity in the face of inevitable fate.
2.6 Ray Bradbury’s biography and influences on his writing: Highlights the impact of the author's background on his literary style and themes.
3. "The Knowers" by Helen Phillips: This chapter analyzes the story of a woman who accesses death-prediction technology and the burden this knowledge places on her life.
3.1 Summary: Details the plot of a couple navigating the wife's knowledge of her exact death date.
3.2 Analysis of the setting, the characters, and their behaviour: Investigates the complex psychological journey of the protagonist, Ellie, and her husband, Tem.
3.3 Influence of the timeline on the characters’ behaviour: Explores how a death date years in the future paradoxically affects daily life and relationships.
3.4 The effects of language: Examines how internal monologues and dialogue reflect the protagonist's superior isolation regarding her knowledge.
3.5 Meaning of the story: Questions the desirability of knowing the date of one's death and the significance of living in the present.
3.6 Helen Phillips’ biography and influences on his writing: Briefly addresses the author's personal experiences that influenced her exploration of life and mortality.
4. Comparison of the effects on human behaviour in the two short stories: Synthesizes the differences and commonalities between individual versus collective awareness of mortality.
III. Should we perhaps all know our date of death to live a better life?: Offers a concluding reflection on the pros and cons of mortality awareness for leading a meaningful life.
IV. Bibliography: Lists the academic primary and secondary sources relied upon in the paper.
Keywords
mortality, imminent death, human behavior, psychological impact, existentialism, Ray Bradbury, Helen Phillips, death prediction, literary analysis, Cold War, relationships, death awareness, life expectancy, existential anxiety, acceptance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this seminar paper?
The paper aims to investigate and compare human behavior when faced with the awareness of imminent death, using two short stories to illustrate differing psychological responses.
Which short stories are analyzed in this work?
The analysis focuses on "The Last Night of the World" by Ray Bradbury and "The Knowers" by Helen Phillips.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how the knowledge of one's death—whether collective or individual—affects the choices, feelings, and behavioral patterns of the characters.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a qualitative, comparative literary analysis, supported by psychological insights and historical context, to examine character behavior and narrative structure.
How is the main body structured?
The body is divided into theoretical background, individual analysis of the two stories, and a final comparative section that contrasts differences in scale, timeline, and emotional response.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include mortality, human behavior, existential anxiety, literary comparison, and the psychological impact of impending end-dates.
In "The Last Night of the World," why is the couple's calm behavior highlighted?
Their calm reaction is highlighted because it reflects an ultimate acceptance of fate, suggesting that when the world ends collectively, normal human routines provide a sense of comfort and dignity.
Does the paper conclude that knowing one's date of death is ultimately beneficial?
The paper suggests it is complex; while knowing might force an appreciation of life's limitation, it also brings the risk of nihilism, suppression, and anxiety, ultimately arguing for a balance: living as if every day were the last.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2021, An Analysis of Human Behaviour in the Face of Imminent Death in Two Short Stories, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1280556
