Let's have dinner and talk about death
In this profound article, Susan Reimer speaks of a discussion that should be brought to every dinner table (figuratively and literally). This profound discussion happens to cover a topic that may not be categorized as an "appropriate dinner table conversation": death. More specifically: death within the family. To be even more specific: who or what will decide your fate when you are not able to do so yourself.
The article is riddled with quotes from Ellen Goodman, former Boston Globe writer, a woman whose mother was at war with dementia, bed-ridden, and unable to communicate clearly. The issue was the inability for Ellen to make life decisions for her mother, because they had never discussed the situation before. "We had talked about everything but this one thing", says Goodman. Because of this event, movements in the community began and the word was spread. Families are encouraged to discuss death and hypothetical situations pertaining to the matter, such as how they want to die. Last year, 20,000 people had taken part in the movement, participating in more than 1,500 dinners. 90 percent of Americans believe that this discussion is important to have, however, less than 30 percent have claimed to have had the conversation.
This article can be tied to pathos in the sense that death is a sensitive topic for most humans. It forces the empathetic readers to jump into the shoes of someone else and experience the horrors (and sometimes wonders) of death.
Audience: The targeted audience includes anyone alive and able to hold a conversation. However, people with families either involved or not involved, may be directly targeted.
Tone: Susan Reimer maintains a caring, yet productive tone throughout the piece.
Purpose: The purpose of this piece is to influence family members to talk about death in the family and how it should be handled when the time comes.
The article is riddled with quotes from Ellen Goodman, former Boston Globe writer, a woman whose mother was at war with dementia, bed-ridden, and unable to communicate clearly. The issue was the inability for Ellen to make life decisions for her mother, because they had never discussed the situation before. "We had talked about everything but this one thing", says Goodman. Because of this event, movements in the community began and the word was spread. Families are encouraged to discuss death and hypothetical situations pertaining to the matter, such as how they want to die. Last year, 20,000 people had taken part in the movement, participating in more than 1,500 dinners. 90 percent of Americans believe that this discussion is important to have, however, less than 30 percent have claimed to have had the conversation.
This article can be tied to pathos in the sense that death is a sensitive topic for most humans. It forces the empathetic readers to jump into the shoes of someone else and experience the horrors (and sometimes wonders) of death.
Audience: The targeted audience includes anyone alive and able to hold a conversation. However, people with families either involved or not involved, may be directly targeted.
Tone: Susan Reimer maintains a caring, yet productive tone throughout the piece.
Purpose: The purpose of this piece is to influence family members to talk about death in the family and how it should be handled when the time comes.