Some Of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby

Expanding Views on Death: From Daylight to Darkness

Donald Barthelme 's short story “Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby” dissects the concept of planning a death and fleshes out its many facets; specifically highlighting its less dark side. The brief plot revolves around a meeting among ten friends, Colby and the narrator included, who are planning to hang Colby because he “has gone too far”. It gives the reader a new outlook on death, citing how the concept is not wholly dark or sad because it can be proof of love and concern. Likewise the plot exhibits how a planned death can bare a relationship and display the presence of true friendship. It also exposes how the loss of a loved one allows friends to effectively communicate their feelings and ideas. Barthelme 's characters and narative structure clearly show both the common and less acknowledged aspect of the planning of a death.
The story proves that death can be positive in the sense that it can mirror how one is valued by others. This is seen through the characters of Colby 's friends and how they spare no expense in
The lack of this element can be Barthelme 's way of helping readers fully understand that death and the planning of such is still difficult to discuss, despite its positive aspects. In relation to this, the author also uses a contrasting of tones. Colby 's friends are very casual in talking about killing him, but their language is formal because of direct and clear words, no slang whatsoever. This is not only an entertainment factor, but also acts as a way to portray that death is treated seriously—hence the formal tone—but not directly. This is where the casual tone comes in, including the use of idioms—“passed away”, “kicked the bucket”, “joined his maker”, etc—or unclear language, which in this case is seen through the phrase “gone too