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
important for the person to have their worldly affairs settled prior to their death. Also, it was preferred that they died at their house surrounded by their loved ones. They did not see death as an action, but as a process; it was essentially a gradually release from this world into the next. Along with being a gradually release from this world, it was a release from the pain the dying individual was feeling.
The ideal “Good Death” was someone who was conscious, so that they could say their goodbyes to their loved ones and their last words. Due to the gradual release, the dying individual could have a foot in both camps; this phenomenon, meant that people on their deathbed were sometimes seen as being enlightened. Loved ones would look for insights into what would happen next. The “Good Death” was a source of reassurance to mourners and the last words had significance for the bystanders. People made a big deal about deathbed farewells. The “Good Death” was good for the family because it reassured them. Also, it meant their loved one was no longer in pain. Essentially, they were in a better place (i.e. Heaven). However, during early colonial times people were much more skeptical on if “they were in a better place.” Nevertheless, by the mid-century, almost universal salvation due to deathbed conversions.
Two literary examples of the “Good Death” that we read in class were from Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Little Women.
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
others. After the Civil War, the idea of a “Good Death’ had changed. The large number of casualties that occurred during the war made it difficult for families to cope. Prior to the war, families were surrounded by their loved ones when they died, but this was not possible during war. Soldiers would be shot and killed during a battle without the comfort of their loved ones. Therefore, the idea of a “Good Death” had to change. The loved ones of the deceased would look for signs that they had achieved peace such as having a peaceful face. Also, instead of actually having their loved ones by their side, the soldiers would use photographs and locks of hair to be close to their family. The objects acted as a symbolic representation of their family members. They would also have letters from their loved ones with them. Before and after large battles, the chaplain would lead the soldiers in religious services. During these services, the chaplain would read scriptures, take messages for the families, and comfort the soldiers. Also, the chaplain would help comfort the ill and wounded soldiers. The comfort that the chaplain provided was not a paid service of the military, it was a volunteered service from a member of the church. Due to the massive number of deaths during the Civil War, the notion of dying for your country was commonly spread. Families needed a justification or reason for the death of their loved ones, therefore, they celebrated the heroism and bravery of their family member; it allowed them to cope with the loss they had endured. The justification used prior to the Civil War that “they were ready to go to God” was not available because of the massive number of casualties and the age of the dead; too many young, dead soldiers. It was much more difficult for the South to justify the deaths because their side lost. Therefore, they coped by building huge monuments and memorials for notable confederate soldiers. The chaplains had a difficult time accepting the “dying for your country” justification because it did not mean all your other sins were forgiven, but it implied they were. The Civil War also gave rise to spiritualism in the United States; it was a supernatural way for one to have the deathbed experience. They believed they were able to contact the souls of the dead. It became popular because churches did not do much for the movements of the time such as the abolition movement. Therefore, people pulled away from the church and took their own path; people believed they did not need organized church. It also became popular because it was a way to create a bridge between this life and the afterlife. They could talk to a spiritual guide who could provide them with insight because they knew more. It had undertones of transcendentalism because the spiritual guides had transcended, therefore they knew more. Spiritualism was a way to know the external fate and still have your loved one as a part of your life; it was essentially a grieving or coping process. Nevertheless, there were opponents to spiritualism who argued that it was devil worship. Also, many skeptics argued that it was a hoax. They said there was no scientific evidence to support what these “con-artists” were doing. They pointed to the Fox Sisters as an example that nothing really happened and these people were making large amounts of money by deceiving people. It helped create a healthy skepticism about the practice.