Mortality & Death

"Nothing can be said to be certain," wrote Ben Franklin, "except death and taxes." And yet, death is often ignored, dismissed, or delayed as an experience worth contemplating—until we are forced to reckon with it head-on. The books in this collection do their own reckoning.

Edge

by Sylvia Plath

Publication year 1965

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Femininity, Mental Health, Death, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Art, Literature

Tags Depression & Suicide, Confessional, Free Verse, Grief & Death

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Eggs

by Jerry Spinelli

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Fear, Grief, Memory, The Past, Friendship, Grandparents, Mothers, Social Class

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Coming of Age

... Read Eggs Summary

Electra

by Sophocles

Publication year 450

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Death, Fate, Siblings, Revenge, Family, Justice, Grief, Truth & Lies, Perseverance, Appearance & Reality

Tags Tragedy, Mythology, Grief & Death, Ancient Greece, Dramatic Literature, Classical Period, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

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Elevation

by Stephen King

Publication year 2018

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Joy, Sexual Identity, Death, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Equality, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Science Fiction

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Ellen Foster

by Kaye Gibbons

Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Memory, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Revenge, Love, Gratitude, Hope, Childhood & Youth, Death, The Past, Equality, Good & Evil, Literature, Art, Beauty, Trust & Doubt, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Power & Greed, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Family, Fathers, Grandparents, Mothers, Nature Versus Nurture, Appearance & Reality

Tags Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction, Southern Literature, Life-Inspired Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Race & Racism

Ellen Foster is a work of adult fiction by US novelist Kaye Gibbons, first published by Algonquin Books in 1987. The novel was Gibbons’s debut, and it won the Sue Kaufman Prize for literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a notable citation from the Ernest Hemingway Foundation. Critics praised the novel for its unsentimental outlook and the wry, distinct voice of its protagonist. Ellen, a young girl living in the American... Read Ellen Foster Summary

Elsewhere

by Gabrielle Zevin

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Grief

Tags Magical Realism, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Religion & Spirituality

Elsewhere is a coming-of-age story and work of magical realism—a genre in which fantastical elements (e.g. talking animals) are woven into an otherwise ordinary setting. First published in 2005, it was writer Gabrielle Zevin’s first novel for a YA audience, and was a 2006 Bank Street Best Children’s Book; it is also an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book. All page numbers in this guide refer to the Farrar, Straus, and Giroux edition. Plot SummaryElsewhere begins... Read Elsewhere Summary

Emako Blue

by Brenda Woods

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Coming of Age, Grief, Safety & Danger, Race, Justice, Community, Death

Tags Realistic Fiction, Poverty, Trauma & Abuse, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Grief & Death, Urban Development, Arts & Culture

Emako Blue is a novel for young adults written by Brenda Woods. Set in Los Angeles, California, Emako's friends and schoolmates relay the events leading up to Emako Blue’s gang-related murder in alternating first-person narration, primarily through flashbacks. The text explores the effects of poverty, gang violence, guns, and how these issues have far-reaching impacts on each member of a community. As the events of the story unfold, each narrator must consider what they want... Read Emako Blue Summary

Emergency

by Denis Johnson

Publication year 1991

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Death, Safety & Danger, Teamwork

Tags Addiction & Substance Abuse, Relationships, Humor, Psychological Fiction, Satirical Literature, Education, Education

Denis Johnson originally published “Emergency” in the September 16, 1991 issue of New Yorker magazine and later as part of his critically acclaimed 1992 short story collection, Jesus’ Son. These linked, fragmentary stories, all narrated by the same troubled, drug-addicted character, examine themes of violence, addiction, loss, and friendship from an unreliable yet sympathetic narrative voice. This guide uses the 1992 version of Jesus’ Son published by Picador/Farrar, Straus and Giroux.“Emergency,” the sixth story in... Read Emergency Summary

Emily Of New Moon

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Publication year 1923

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Environment, Place, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Beauty, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age

... Read Emily Of New Moon Summary

Endgame

by Samuel Beckett

Publication year 1957

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Family, Death, Future, Regret

Tags Tragedy, Comedy & Satire, Irish Literature, Absurdism, World History, Dramatic Literature, French Literature, Classic Fiction

Endgame is a one-act, absurdist play by Samuel Beckett, first performed in 1957. The post-apocalyptic play portrays the farcical, tragic existence of four character who are caught in an unfulfilling routine. Beckett regarded the play as one of his greatest achievements. It has been adapted as an opera and as a short film.This guide uses the 2009 Faber and Faber edition.Plot SummaryThe curtain rises on a nearly bare stage: a room in Hamm’s home, bathed... Read Endgame Summary

End of Story

by A. J. Finn

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Death, The Past, Fathers, Self Discovery, Justice, Truth & Lies

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End of Watch

by Stephen King

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Good & Evil, Justice, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read End of Watch Summary