The Dread of Death// Emily Otts

       In Philip Larkin's "Aubade", the speaker tells of how he lives his life. He works all day, ends the night by getting half drunk, and starts the day over. Yet in the early hours of the morning, when it is still dark out, he is reminded of the ever looming threat of death, how it comes for everyone, an there is nothing anyone can do about it. He states how religion tries to make it seem not so bad, tries to make it seem like we will not die. He later explains why we fear death, and how being brave about dying will not change the fact that we will die one day. 

    I do believe a fear of death is very reasonable, since people tend to fear the unknown. No one truly knows what happens when we die. Different religions will claim different things, and whether they are true or not, we have no way to know for certain. People cannot come back from the dead to explain it to us. Death is something we cannot wrap our minds around, as Larkin states how that is the exact reason we fear it: "That this is what we fear—no sight, no sound, /No touch or taste or smell, nothing to think with, /  Nothing to love or link with,/ The anaesthetic from which none come round." If that is what death is, that is truly terrifying. As a Christian, I do not believe that would be the case, as I have hope that I will simply be in Heaven when I die. But as Larkin says, being brave about death does not change the fact that one day people will die. Those without Jesus have no hope, so I understand why they would fear death. But just as Larkin ends the poem, most people simply go about their day, ignoring their death, inching closer and closer every single day. 

I commented on Braylan Stringfellow's and Haylee Lynd's posts. 

Comments

  1. Joshua NaqviJanuary 31, 2022 at 4:24 PM

    Great observations. It is true that one day we all will face death. Some may use this as an excuse to live life without regard for what is "right" or "wrong" because they may think that there is nothing besides this life. As a Christian we believe the contrary. There is more to life besides what is before us. As you stated, Larkin does not seem to have this belief. He is not wrong to question how someone who religious can truly know there is an afterlife. I suppose there is indeed no way to truly know as you stated previously. However, the same could be said in reverse. There could very well be an afterlife and a judgement that we all must face. Either way, we all die eventually, but I find having faith in something besides myself greatly benefits the quality of the life I have now.

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