Death Be Not Proud
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Death Be Not Proud is a memoir by American author John Gunther, taking its name from Holy Sonnet 10 by John Donne.
Contents |
[edit] Story
In the book, Gunther records the true story of his teenage son's struggle to overcome a brain tumor, and his ultimate death at the age of seventeen. The story chronicles the period beginning when Johnny experiences the first symptoms of the tumor shortly after being given a clean bill of health. Johnny's complaint of a stiff neck one day leads doctors to operate, thus leading to the discovery of a tumor the size of an orange, according to a doctor.
The book, published in 1949, records in simple detail all the events and tensions that made up the months that Johnny Gunther fought for his life and his parents sought to help him through recourse to every medical possibility then known. When it appears that Johnny has finally overcome the tumor, he dies of a cerebral hemorrage, which occurs the day of a medical checkup the day before he and his family are to leave on vacation.
[edit] Reception
Partly because of its stark honesty about the pain that this kind of struggle causes a family, and partly because of its refreshingly revealing portrait of a brilliant young man (he discovered a new way to liquefy ammonia) struck down too young by incurable illness, Death Be Not Proud became a best-selling book that is still popular today. The story in the book was eventually made into a TV movie in 1975, starring Robby Benson as Johnny Gunther, and Arthur Hill as John Gunther.
[edit] Characters
Johnny is an example of a truly valiant person. He is selfless in his hope that he will not cause too much pain for others. In Johnny's last few weeks on earth, he still hungers for knowledge. He does not give up because of his illness. He still has hopes and dreams intact.
Johnny's character is inspirational to not only his parents, but his caregivers as well, who employ sometimes radical treatments to try and save his life. Among them are Canadian neurologist Wilder Penfield and Dr. Max Gerson, whose famous Gerson diet was believed to have reduced the size of the tumor.
One of his doctors wrote a letter to his family after his death saying, "for such there must be an immortality which we who tinker at the body may guess at but not understand." [1]
[edit] Setting
Death Be Not Proud takes place in old time New York City in The Neurological Institute. The Neurological institute rises tall above the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. Johnny Gunther, a cancer patient lives in this dreary hospital for almost three years of his life. The Institute is almost filled with a feeling of overwhelming sadness. With walls painted a shade of white the hospital is not the ideal place to live.
[edit] Plot
This story is mainly about a courageous seventeen year old boy who suffered from a brain tumor. Throughout this story Johnny has many ups and downs. At some points in his life he was doing fine and was living life normally. And then within a week he would be back on the hospital bed. This story is thrilling and scary as Johnny fights through his cancer. He might not have made it in the end but he sure did fight.
[edit] Theme(s)
The main theme of this book is how death and illness humble people. During the three years that Johnny had cancer, the only thing the Gunther family thought about was how grateful they were that he was still alive. The Gunther family went through many trials and tribulations that most people do not have to go through. Even though Johnny did not make it in the end, the Gunther family was grateful that he had survived for at least three more precious years. "Death always brings one suddenly face to face with life"- A word from Frances, page 187
[edit] John'Papa' Gunther
The journalist, John Gunther, was a devoted father. John is the protagonist of this heart breaking story. He explains his beloved son’s battle with a brain tumor. The amazing thing about John Gunther is that he was an extremely devoted father. He made sure to be with his son every day and talk him through his trials. John’s personality was quite subtle and he didn’t express his emotions. Even though it was hard for him to show his love for his son he did it anyway. This was John’s personal challenge that he had to over come, to express himself. I think he wanted express himself to his son because he knew that his son might not have been around for much longer.
[edit] Johnny Gunther
Johnny Gunther is a precocious teenager living in a life or death situation. During his struggle with a brain tumor, Johnny attended tutoring and had proper exams. He even did chemical experiments in his free time. Though faced with death he continued to follow his dreams. Johnny never thought of himself. Before a conversation started about him he would ask about someone else. Johnny was loved for his selflessness and his curiosity about life. He was an amazing young man and fought through cancer with all of his might.
[edit] Publication data
- John Gunther, Death Be Not Proud (1949). Harper Perennial edition 1998: ISBN 0-06-092989-8
[edit] References
- ^ Wall Street Journal 01/26/08: W8
