John Donne reflected much on death. In the last post, I referenced his oft-quoted verse on triumphing over death. In the brief prose excerpt below, Donne keenly observes that while one death affects each individual, it also brings an entire community together. Again notice the well-known book titles of Thomas Merton (No Man Is an Island) and Ernest Hemingway (For Whom the Bell Tolls), bows to Donne's literary genius. I dedicate this post to Arlene O'Leary, social worker and educator extraordinaire, who passed away late last year.
From Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, XVII
By John Donne (1572-1631)
All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated … As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness. … No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
