1. THEMES OF DEATH
COU 640
Jacqueline Andrzejewski

2. Introduction – Themes of Death
• Can be found in every aspect of modern
culture
• Movies/television, books, poetry, art, music
• Images are sometimes:
• Unrealistically presented
• Exaggerated for shock value
• Ambiguous

3. Themes of Death in Television/Movies
Evolution of death on television and in movies
• Most graphic medium in which death is portrayed
• Can be confusing for children
• Ambiguous – Independence Day, 1996
• Too tired to hold on/drifted off - Titanic, 1997
• Off screen – The Lion King
• Pay It Forward, 2000
• On Screen – The Hunger Games, 2012
• Underworld series – 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012
• Million Dollar Baby – assisted suicide, 2004
• My Sister’s Keeper – right to die, 2009

4. Themes of Death on Television
Sesame Street, Big Bird and Death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tQB-Px9dfs
• Comments about the episode:
• “This is the most memorable moments in television
history. No one, no one, expected a show meant for 5
year olds down to talk about such a serious topic. And, I
doubt it will ever happen again.”
• “Death is a sad reality many children have to eventually
face and I don't think enough kids shows address this.
Good for Sesame Street.”

5. Themes of Death in Movies
The Hunger Games
• Based on book series
• Overt theme of death
• Celebrated, gruesome, exaggerated
• Heroine is teenager, 16 year-old girl
• Reflection

6. Themes of Death in Children’s Books
Children's literature
• Tool for addressing concepts of death
• Fairy Tales
• Hansel & Gretel
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Realism
• Charlotte’s Web

7. Themes of
Death in
Literature
This Book is For
All Kids,
Especially My
Sister Libby,
Libby Died
A child tries to
figure out death,
dying, what
happens after,
what happens to
the survivors.

8. Themes of Death in
Children’s Books
What on Earth Do You
Do When Someone
Dies
• Chapters include:
• Why do people have
to die?
• What is it like to die?
• Is it okay to cry?
• Is the death my
fault?
• Will I ever feel
better?
• How can I say
goodbye?
Video:

9. Themes of Death in Poetry
Used to make sense of death, even children’s
poetry.
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
"I wish that I could give you something....but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump. I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did. And the tree was happy.

10. Themes of
Death in Poetry
Humpty
Dumpty
• Nursery
Rhymes
• Implied
death

11. Themes of
Death in Poetry
In Flanders
Fields by Dr.
John
McCrae
• Theme
• Death
• Reality of
death
• Poppies &
crosses

12. Themes of Death in Art
• Express attitudes toward death
• Universal, personal or culturally specific
• Objects, images, and structures
• Processes of aging and dying, grieving, and commemorating
• Reality of the human existence
• Loss of life as subject matter
• Death is inevitable

13. Girl in Death
Mask by
Mexican painter
Frida Kahlo
• Day of the Dead
• The Elegant
Skull
• Flower
Themes of
Death inArt

14. Death in a
Sickroom
by Norwegian
artist, Edvard
Munch,
famous for
The Scream
• Family in
mourning
• Emotions
Themes of
Death inArt

15. Themes of Death in Music
• Impact
• Connection with our emotions
• More easily recognized in heavy metal and rap music
• Guns N’ Roses
• “Look at Your Game Girl,” Charles Manson
• Rap Music
• Death Row Records
• “Cop Killer” by Ice-T
• Tu-Pac and Notorious B.I.G.
• Pop music
• Tribute to Princess Diana, Princess of Wales
• Elton John, “Candle in the Wind ’97”
• Marilyn Monroe.

16. Themes of
Death of Music
I’ll See You
Again
By Westlife
Irish boy band, is
a song about the
death of a loved
one.
https://www.yout
ube.com/watch?
v=P7IbQyG9PL4

17. Themes of
Death in Music
Gone Too Soon
By American Idol
alum Chris
Daughtry
https://www.youtube
.com/watch?v=GCy
qhi55O-8
Proceeds from sales of
the song donated to
the families of the
Newtown, Connecticut,
school shooting
victims

18. Conclusion
• Themes of death:
• Everywhere
• Open to individual interpretation
• Choice, appreciation and application is
subjective
• Experiences, preferences and personal needs

19. References
• Amazon Prime. http://www.amazon.com/This-Especially-Sister-Libby-
Libby/dp/B005Q68ICA
• Bio. Shel Silverstein Biography. http://www.biography.com/people/shel-silverstein-
9483912#musical-works&awesm=~oHtzp5i7mGiUwy
• Carney, K. L. (2003). Barklay and Eve: The role of activity books for bereaved children.
Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, 48(4), 307-319.
• Corr, C. A. (2003). Bereavement, grief and mourning in death-related literature for
children. Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, 48(4), 337-363.
• Emily Dickinson. http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/stop.html
• Frida Kahlo Fans. http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0230.html
• Frida Kahlo Foundation. http://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/Girl-With-Death-Mask-1-
1938.html
• International Movie Database (IMDB). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/
• Poetry About Death. http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/poetry-about-death-index.htm
• Poetry Foundation. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/176327
• Songfacts. Lyrics. http://lyrics.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=18631587
• The Nation News. Poppies not just a flower
http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/poppys-not-just-a-flower/
• Webb, N. (2003). Play and expressive therapies to help bereaved children: Individual,
family, and group treatment. Smith College Studies In Social Work, 73(3), 405-422