Embracing Death In Dudley Clendinen's The Good Short Life

Embracing Death:
A Rhetorical Look at Clendinen’s “The Good Short Life” How does one want to die? That might be a question too harsh for some to think about. So, maybe the correct question would be, how can one embrace death? Everyone’s answer to this question is more than likely going to be vastly diverse. Do people embrace death and live every moment to the fullest until it is their time to go? One man, Dudley Clendinen, a writer for the New York Times, did just that. His intentions to end his own life at the young age of 66 rather than having his daughter and friends watch him die a laborious and excruciating death is what the article is about. The context of his article is to inform his readers of why he would rather die with some dignity, rather than being hooked up to machines and letting his loved ones watch him deteriorate slowly. In the article “The Good

Making readers depressed or necessarily agreeing with his decision is not the intention of his writing, rather, to examine their own life and situation and to contemplate death, as it is inevitable for everyone. The majority of people will more than likely be forced to face a similar choice as Clendinen. Maybe not in the same extreme measure, but the majority of people will need to render a decision for a family member who is no longer capable of making medical decisions for themselves. Clendinen's purpose is being achieved and readers should walk away from this article recognizing exactly what Clendinen’s beliefs are on death, and it ought to generate curiosity about their own thoughts and beliefs. At the very least, talk with their loved one’s before they ever become ill and find out their loved one’s wishes are. Individuals, in general, are skilled on how to live their life, but how many are being taught to embrace the