Death is a common thing in literature. Whether used as a plot device or as a theme in a novel, it can be used to the author’s advantage. In No Country for Old Men, and The Grapes of Wrath. We see how two different authors use death in their works.
In No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, death is heavily used to forward the plot of the story and to showcase themes. It is commonly used to show Chigurh’s dark nature as he kills without remorse, and the danger Moss faces as he runs from the cartel. Yet, McCarthy writes about Moss’s death as the police come upon the crime scene with Moss already dead. Showing a brutal crime scene, but not the protagonist death itself shows how casually he treat Moss’s death. Showing that not all heroes get happy endings.
The Grapes of Wrath treats death differently though. When Grandma and Grandpa die, the family knew that they did not have much time left. Yet, they still showed grief when they passed. This showed a less analytical, and a more thoughtful way of looking at death than in McCarthy’s writing. Even though Casy’s death still showed similar amounts of brutality to McCarthy’s writing, Tom stilled showed that Casy’s death would not be for nothing and promised to continue to try to help people.
Great American Novels 
2 replies on “Death In American Literature”
I believe with all of this immensely. A true great American novel has heartbreak and usually not a fairy tale ending. With that, I believe makes a really good, compelling novel. Because life isn’t perfect, and so why tell a story that is perfect, because it is not realistic. I believe the way, McCarthy creates death in all of his novels are so different, but all so hooking to read. With No Country for Old Men, death is normal. Death isn’t dragged out and made emotionally. In The Road, death is dragged out and living is the most important part of the novel. Either way, I think death is one main factor in determining if a novel is a great American novel.
LikeLike
I like how you chose to look at death in literature because it’s a very prevalent topic. As I was reading this blog, it made me think about the book White Noise because death is a theme that is in this novel too. The two main characters, Jack and Babette, both are afraid of death and it’s a major theme throughout the book. They’re always worried about who’s going to die first.
LikeLike