To Hell with Dying

In the story, “To Hell with Dying” by Alice Walker, we learn about how a young child, the narrator, grows up enjoying the company and friendship of an older man, Mr. Sweet. Being an alcoholic diabetic, Mr. Sweet often nears death but is always “magically” cured when the narrator comes to visit him. However, as time travels on so does the aging process, and inevitably Mr. Sweet parishes. The fact that the once young child’…

…However, as time travels on so does the aging process, and inevitably Mr. Sweet parishes. The fact that the once young child’s, now a grown woman’s, presence could not save him once again inspires the reality of life and death. Through the story, Alice Walker translates that there are always special people in our life, whom which we may care for deeply, but regardless of our emotions death is a fact of life.