JOB #1
"Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him."
(1.2)
- It is the job of soldiers to kill, and the soldiers in Bierce's story are no strangers to death. Through personification, the narrator makes death another character in the story. Though the soldiers have witnessed death numerous times, their interaction with the "dignitary" death is uniquely solemn and formal. I like this passage because it tells use that death is very dignifying and you should respect the people who are dead or are going to die even if you do not like the person or what the person stands four.
Extraordinary Line. I agree with you wholeheartedly Terren. I think this transfers over into our lives on how we treat those who have passed away. When we go to a funeral or visit anyone's grave site, we should behave very respectfully. I think that Bierce is trying to tell us that death and those who will or have passed should be respected.
ReplyDeleteThis line makes me think of a dead American soldier coming home under the flag and of the gun salutes and the giving of the American flag at a veterans funeral. It also makes me think of the other side. The disrespectful and ungrateful Americans who don't give the American soldiers who have given their all for our freedom any respect and even go and disrespect them. The soldiers at Owl Creek Bridge could've been rude and debasing to Peyton as he was their enemy and they didn't agree with him, but instead they realized that "death is a dignitary" and gave it their due respect as we all should.
ReplyDeleteHey and Terren, add me on your blog roll please. :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys are blowing me away with all of your great observations & comments! Keep it up! Isaac used this quote as well. It's his favorite!
ReplyDeleteAnother thought, I think that the line also speaks to those who are dying. To accept the death they shall receive is very respectable and honorable. Of course, I don't mean that everyone should be willing enough to just die right on the spot, but I am talking about those battling fatal illness or those bravely serving in our military.
ReplyDeleteA part of this line that keeps jumping out at me is "even by those most familiar with him (death)." It makes me think of those in the First Responding world who deal with undignified, premature death possibly everyday. What a weight on their shoulders to handle every death they come across, be it suicide or trauma, with dignity.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with all three of you on the respect for the dead, but how exactly do the soldiers show their respect for him?
ReplyDeleteThe soldiers show respect by taking off their hats if they have one on and they also sualute the died officer.
DeleteSome time the soldiers fire thier guns in the air as to show respect.
Ok, I know that people show respect for soldiers today in many ways, I just didn't really notice in specific ways that they showed respect for Peyton in the story.
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