Theme: Mortality

Theme: Mortality

Inevitability of Death

  • In Sunset Song, Gibbon underscores the inevitability of death. It is shown as an integral part of life and the natural cycle of existence; this is particularly reflected in the connection between the land and the people.
  • Characters such as John Guthrie and Mrs Guthrie pass away as part of this natural cycle, highlighting that death is a part of life’s journey, not its antithesis.

Death and Change

  • The theme of mortality is also a metaphor for wider societal changes, particularly in the era of World War I. The loss of so many lives during the war prompted dramatic shifts in societal structures and norms.
  • Death is the catalyst for much change in the novel, and this includes changes at a societal level and for individual characters like Chris. Her personal losses shape her character and her life’s trajectory.

Impact of Mortality on Characters

  • The impact of mortality on the characters is profound. The deaths they experience permanently alter their lives, exemplified by Chris, who needs to make difficult decisions following the loss of her father and husband.
  • Chris’s losses force her to confront her own mortality and that of those around her. They lead to personal growth and her acceptance of lifecycle processes, further ingraining her deep connection to her environment.

Religion and Mortality

  • Ideas about death, afterlife, and mortality are often associated with religion, which is portrayed through the character of Reverend Colquohoun. His role gives insight into traditional attitudes towards death.
  • The text examines different perspectives concerning mortality, particularly challenging the strict religious views of death. Chris, much like Gibbon himself, takes a more agnostic approach towards mortality, viewing it as a natural, biological process rather than a spiritual one.

Mortality as a Unifier

  • Gibbon suggests that mortality can act as a unifier. The shared experience of loss brings the community closer together. This unity is noted at communal gatherings like funerals or Memorials where the community collectively celebrates the lives of the departed.
  • Mortality reduces the divide between “high” and “low” social classes, as all suffer losses and are equal in the face of death. This aspect underscores the theme of egalitarian society which Gibbon advocates for in the novel.

Exploring the theme of mortality in Sunset Song broadens our understanding of the novel’s cultural context and the human experiences depicted within.