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 her 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?
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze human behavior in the face of imminent death, using two short stories as case studies. The analysis compares and contrasts the reactions and actions of individuals presented in these narratives. The paper explores how the knowledge of one's impending death, whether individually or collectively, affects behaviors, relationships, and overall outlook on life. * The impact of knowing one's date of death on individual behavior. * A comparative analysis of behavioral responses in different scenarios of impending death. * The exploration of emotional and psychological responses to mortality. * The influence of cultural and societal context on reactions to death. * Examination of the role of human relationships in the face of death.Chapter Summaries
**I. What would happen if we were told the exact date of our death?:** This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis. It posits the question of how knowledge of one's death date would alter behavior, introducing the concept that while many suppress thoughts of mortality, the hypothetical knowledge of a precise date could drastically change how individuals approach life. The chapter introduces the two short stories that will serve as the primary source material for the analysis, outlining the central themes of each: the collective awareness of impending doom in Bradbury's "The Last Night of the World" and the individual’s confrontation with a known death date in Phillips' "The Knowers." The chapter establishes the core objective of the paper: to investigate and compare the varied behavioral responses to imminent death as depicted in these narratives. **II. Knowing the date of death and its effects on human behaviour:** This chapter delves into the theoretical and practical considerations of knowing one's death date. It examines existing studies and research on how individuals react to mortality, highlighting the diversity of responses. The chapter explores different hypothetical scenarios, considering the possibility of both positive (acceptance, focusing on what matters most) and negative (despair, nihilism) behavioral adjustments. It also touches upon the potential impact on relationships, considering the implications of knowing one's own and others' death dates on romantic partnerships and family planning. The chapter lays the groundwork for the detailed analysis of the two selected short stories that follow, framing the interpretations within a broader context of existing research. **2. "The Last Night of the World" by Ray Bradbury:** This section provides a detailed analysis of Bradbury's short story. It begins with a summary of the plot, focusing on the unexpected calmness of a couple who learn of the world's impending end. The analysis then explores the story's setting, characters, and their behaviors under the weight of this knowledge. It investigates how the seemingly ordinary evening unfolds against the backdrop of extraordinary circumstances. The chapter will delve into the nuances of the characters' dialogue and actions, exploring the potential implications of their calm demeanor and examining the story's underlying themes of acceptance, mortality, and the human experience. **3. "The Knowers" by Helen Phillips:** This section presents a comprehensive analysis of Phillips' "The Knowers," which explores the impact of knowing one's personal date of death on a couple's relationship and individual lives. It provides a summary of the narrative, paying attention to the differing reactions of the husband and wife to the wife's knowledge of her death date. The analysis will closely examine the evolving dynamics of their relationship over time, focusing on the significant life changes and emotional complexities that arise from confronting their mortality head-on. This section will explore themes of acceptance, the emotional complexities of dealing with death's inevitability, and the altering nature of relationships facing a known expiry date.Keywords
Imminent death, mortality, human behavior, short story analysis, Ray Bradbury, Helen Phillips, "The Last Night of the World," "The Knowers," behavioral responses, emotional responses, relationship dynamics, acceptance, nihilism, life expectancy.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Human Behavior in the Face of Imminent Death
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper analyzes human behavior when faced with the knowledge of imminent death. It uses two short stories, Ray Bradbury's "The Last Night of the World" and Helen Phillips' "The Knowers," as case studies to compare and contrast individual and collective responses to mortality.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the impact of knowing one's death date on individual behavior, a comparative analysis of behavioral responses in different scenarios, emotional and psychological responses to mortality, the influence of cultural and societal context, and the role of human relationships in the face of death.
Which short stories are analyzed in this paper?
The paper analyzes Ray Bradbury's "The Last Night of the World," which depicts a collective awareness of impending doom, and Helen Phillips' "The Knowers," which focuses on an individual's knowledge of their own death date and its impact on their life and relationships.
How does the paper analyze the short stories?
The analysis of each short story includes a summary of the plot, an examination of the setting, characters, and their behavior, an exploration of the story's language and its effects, and a discussion of the overall meaning and the authors' biographical influences. A comparison of the behavioral effects in both stories is also included.
What is the objective of this term paper?
The term paper aims to analyze and compare the diverse behavioral responses to imminent death as portrayed in the two chosen short stories, providing insights into how individuals and societies might react to the knowledge of their mortality.
What are the chapter summaries?
Chapter I introduces the central question and the two short stories. Chapter II delves into theoretical and practical considerations of knowing one's death date, exploring potential positive and negative behavioral adjustments. Chapter II then provides detailed analyses of "The Last Night of the World" and "The Knowers," respectively. Chapter III poses the question of whether knowing one's death date might lead to a better life.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Key terms include: imminent death, mortality, human behavior, short story analysis, Ray Bradbury, Helen Phillips, "The Last Night of the World," "The Knowers," behavioral responses, emotional responses, relationship dynamics, acceptance, nihilism, and life expectancy.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, providing a comprehensive overview of the analysis of human behavior in the context of imminent death.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, An Analysis of Human Behaviour in the Face of Imminent Death in Two Short Stories, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1280556
