Good Death Thesis

The United States of America acquired a fascination with death in the 19th century. The idea of death evolved throughout the century in an attempt to provide reassurance to mourners and to prepare the individual for the end of their life. However, the Civil War that occurred in the early 1860s changed the way many Americans thought about death. Prior to the Civil War, roughly the middle of the 19th century, death was embedded with a religious framework. The religious framework was largely based off of Protestant ideology; it was known as the “Good Death.” The “Good Death” was an idealized form of death, but certain diseases made it difficult; it was possible to use drugs to help calm the effects of the disease, but it could make them incoherent. The “Good Death” essentially meant that the person should feel prepared and accept death. It was basically a religious preparation where the individual got right with God. Sometimes there would be a minister to help guide the person or he/she could do it without the help of a guide. It was
In these two, it is evident that death was a time when one showed emotions. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Tom drew on his faith which allowed him to handle Eva’s death. He believed that she was going to a better place and he would see her again. The reason others cannot cope was because they did not have faith and did not trust God. They wanted their way, not God’s way. In Little Women, Beth was almost portrayed as too angelic to belong on Earth. Beth accepted that she was supposed to die, but Jo was not as accepting. Jo absorbed the positive qualities of her sister. The survivors gained insights into life. That was why Jo would be better. Also, Eva’s death led to a bedside conversion. The bystanders to these “Good Deaths” come out as better people. “Good Death” was good for those who experienced it because it could influence