Comparing Mortality in Hemingways Indian Camp and Joyces Araby :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

The Subject of Mortality in Hemingways Indian Camp and Joyces ArabyNick came face to face with his own mortality in Hemingways Indian Camp and, like most of us, denied its inevitability, evidenced by the last line of the story In the early morning lake sitting in the stern of the gravy boat with his father rowing, he felt sure that he would never die. (31) His first experience with the beginning of life was far from the joyous occasion most of us are taught to associate with birth. Coupled with his first experience with a violent suicide in the like setting, his feeling that he would never die is understandable. I have experienced the loss of a family member in childbirth at an early age and my reaction was much the same as Nicks. It is that same conviction that causes us to continue to do things that we know is dangerous that feeling that one has that it will never happen to me. Perhaps Nick also knowing a lesson from the callousness displayed by his uncle and father toward the I ndian woman as well as the other Indians in the story. Nicks father regards the screams of the Indian woman as unimportant, as evidenced by his comment to Nick No, I havent any anaesthetic, his father said. But her screams are non important. I dont hear them because they are not important. (29) Yet later, when Nick questions him as to why the husband killed himself, he admits, I dont know, Nick. He couldnt stand things, I guess. (30) Maybe Nick surmised that the womans screams his father considered unimportant and fired so readily may have led to her husbands suicide.The protagonist in Joyces Araby learns a different lesson the bitter disappointment that is sometimes the result of youthful infatuation. The intent he feels for Mangans sister is an emotion of which only he is aware I had never spoken to her, except for a few casual words, and yet her take in was like a summons to all my foolish blood.