That good night: gift or punishment? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 06-15-2005, 08:45 AM

I think that one's perspective regarding death being a gift or a curse might have to do with the person's (both observer and the one who passes) age/maturity. A life cut short, like that of a child, is harder to bear than that of one who had lived a full life.

As a child and young adult, one might wish for a deathless life. As we age, this view may change as one starts to fit less into the ever emerging new world. And as age, gravity and disease begin to take its toll on the body, one might want to just let go and be free.

Aragorn, like the rest of us, really had no way of knowing what happens afterwards, even though he had evidence (from the Elves). It was his last and bravest act when he placed that first foot into the unknown - was he throwing away years of his life, as nothing awaited him, or was his act of obedience not only an example to others but also assuring him the gift?

06-15-2005, 08:45 AM	#10
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	I think that one's perspective regarding death being a gift or a curse might have to do with the person's (both observer and the one who passes) age/maturity. A life cut short, like that of a child, is harder to bear than that of one who had lived a full life. As a child and young adult, one might wish for a deathless life. As we age, this view may change as one starts to fit less into the ever emerging new world. And as age, gravity and disease begin to take its toll on the body, one might want to just let go and be free. Aragorn, like the rest of us, really had no way of knowing what happens afterwards, even though he had evidence (from the Elves). It was his last and bravest act when he placed that first foot into the unknown - was he throwing away years of his life, as nothing awaited him, or was his act of obedience not only an example to others but also assuring him the gift? __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.