Analysis Of Before I Go By Paul Kalanithi

It is important to take care of the people around you. You may never know when the last time you see them will be. The essay “Before I go” by Paul Kalanithi is about a neurosurgeon. During the six years of doing his job he had a few symptoms like weight loss, fevers, night sweats, back pain. He then found out he has metastatic lung cancer. He can no longer work and unfortunately left behind his wife and daughter at the age of 37. Kalanithi develops his philosophy of life, the days are long, but the years are short, through his use of pathos and allusion.

First of all, Kalanithi developed his philosophy of life was through the use of allusion. This is seen when he mentions “While able to limp through the end of residency on treatment, I relapsed, underwent chemo and endured a prolonged hospitalization (Kalanithi). His use of this allusion develops his philosophy of life by referencing when he went into chemo. Him knowing he was seeking help was his only hope. He had woke up with thinned hair and thin limbs. As he knew he could no longer work. He was left at home to recover. Even though he was fighting for his life. There was nothing to help improve his situation. Paul establishes his philosophy by demonstrating how trying to fight for your life is hard. Regardless how short the

He uses this technique when he states, “ Every day brings me further from the low of my last cancer relapse, but every day also brings me closer to the next cancer recurrence and eventually, death” (Kalanithi). His use of pathos develops his philosophy of life by his emotions. He is trying to live his life to the fullest. He is trying to spend as much time with Cady his daughter trying to make the most memories. As Paul hopes he can live until his daughter can remember him. But as Paul always says although the years are shorter, the days are lengthy. Which means he cherished every moment he has with