We Are Breaking the Silence about Death

Subject: English I

Overview

In the middle of the 1960s, Elisabeth Kublor Ross worked with the elderly. Before that, the subject had been discussed endlessly. Nowadays, talking about death is in style. She has introduced a new approach to dealing with death with the aid of her best-selling book on death and dying. She advises that rather than having them pass away in an exotic hospital, they should do so at home. She has identified five psychological processes people typically go through when they realize they are about to pass away after spending a lot of time with the dying.

These are the stages:

  1. Denial
  2. Anger or rage
  3. Bargaining
  4. Depression 
  5. Acceptance

The aforementioned emotion can occur in response to any change or loss and is not exclusive to death.

We Are Breaking the Silence about Death : Daniel Goleman (1964)

Summary

Many things have been done for the terminally ill by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. She believes they should live each day to the fullest. People did not want to talk about dying before the middle of the 1960s. Even medical professionals shied away from discussing death and dying. But nowadays, discussing death is fashionable. One of those responsible for popularizing this subject is Kubler-Ross. Patients who are dying are now given alternative care. If they choose, they can discuss death freely. They are urged to pass away at home rather than at an unfamiliar hospital. Their kids and pets can visit them in the hospital as well.

Since the outset, Elizabeth Kubler-work Ross's has been primarily humanitarian. She has worked with dying individuals for countless hours. She has categorized the five psychological stages that those approaching death go through. Denial, rage, bargaining, despair, and acceptance are these stages. These reactions can happen with any form of loss and are not just restricted to death. Denial is a person's initial response to learning of his passing. It lessens the negative effects of death and gives him time to consider everything vital to him as less significant. Nobody actually believes that they will pass away. Doctors and nurses also deny the patient's death because their function as healers is threatened by this. By ignoring death, both medical staff and patients put on a show for one another.

The dying patients might communicate their emotions to their relatives if they discussed death in an open manner. They could finish a lot of unfinished tasks. The severity of the patients would make it challenging to resolve numerous issues. The survivors would eventually regret not speaking up. Rage and anger represent the second stage. At this point, a patient is irate with everyone. At this point, a patient is hostile toward everyone. He is reminded of his demise by other healthy folks. He feels that his death was unfair, which is why he is upset. When his rage subsides, he begins to haggle with God or fate. He wishes he had more time to complete the task. He offers additional time in exchange for a pledge to do good or to provide anything.

The fourth stage involves a despondent patient. He regrets unfinished business, his earlier errors, and his own passing. He relinquishes those things that were once significant on the inside. He needs less interaction with his family and friends because he is disconnected. Peaceful acceptance is the last stage. He has no desire to live a longer life. He wants to savor the days that are left. He is content with everything. He is not even bothered by his illness. He is happy today. He has no concern for the future. We learn how to live from the dying. We must have a deep love for one another before we can face death with ease.

Application of Four Levels

  • Literal Comprehension
    • Many terminally ill patients find solace when someone listens to their openly voiced feelings and anxieties, according to Swiss psychotherapist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. She has noticed that many terminally ill patients go through five psychological stages after being shocked to learn of their condition: denial, rage, bargaining, despair, and acceptance. When a patient requests it, the hospital personnel and family members can discuss death openly to help the patient come to terms with it. The patient acts as if the sickness doesn't exist during the denial stage and refuses to accept reality. The sufferer may then become irate, feeling jealous of those who are healthy and blaming loved ones and medical professionals for being powerless to intervene. In prayers, I ask for another year in exchange for improving myself. The first actual realization of reality follows this psychological step, which is typically brief, and the patient then enters the stage of depression or grieving, lamenting the loss of his or her own life. The patient is ready to pass away peacefully and dignified at the end of the acceptance process.
  • Interpretation
    • The thesis of this article may be that life and death are just two sides of the same coin. We can learn how to live from the dying. If we don't fear death, which is inevitable, we can live peacefully, as we all know. At the very least, we should accept reality. Elisabeth Kubler-example Ross's of living a life of service to others inspires us all. We learn the worth of life from death.
  • Critical Thinking
    • This essay approaches the topic in a grounded way. Despite being quite close to us, the subject seems odd. We are unable to identify the author's mistakes. When we read it, we are just perplexed.
  • Assimilation
    • In many respects, this essay has helped us learn. First of all, it has been stated that in order to live, we must learn how to live from those who are already dead. They are aware of the importance of our lives. We must live in the present and not worry about the future. Whatever we receive, we must accept. We must accept illness or death quietly, whatever. This writing made me think of the Gita, in which Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to live without attachment and accept whatever came his way—pleasure or agony, success or failure.

Referance

(Bastakoti, (2007). A Combined Guide To Compulsory English. Kathmandu: Kalyani Prakshan)

Things to remember
  • The beautiful essay "We Are Breaking the Silence About Death" was written by Daniel Goleman.
  • The thesis of this article may be that life and death are just two sides of the same coin.
  • If we don't fear death, which is inevitable, we can live peacefully, as we all know.
  • We must live in the present and not worry about the future.
  • Whatever we receive, we must accept. We must accept illness or death quietly, whatever.

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