Death teaches us much about life and what it is. Many novels and films can show the reader or viewer the significance of death. In the novel "All Quiet in the Western Front", by Erich Maria Remarque, a German soldier named Bäumer and others struggle to keep alive in the trenches of the Western front during WWI. Through the story, Bäumer overcomes many difficult obstacles, both physically and mentally, including the deaths of most of his friends. Tragically at the end, young Bäumer is hunkered down in a trench when a blue butterfly lands just feet away above the trench. Since he collects butterflies and is fascinated by this one, he slowly reaches out towards it, and in a blink of an eye, is shot and killed by an enemy sniper. Remarque shows us exactly how fast and unexpected life can end, especially during the horrors of world war one. Other novels use this technique to develop a deep connection to the character then having him erased from the story usually by the means of death. This teaches the reader all good things in life will not last, and that we may not appreciate life itself until something tragic happens.
Many films can also show us the importance of death in life. A film that also shows us that death is a part of life is "Old Yeller", directed by Robert Stevenson. A boy has a strong friendship with a lab name Yeller. During a fight with a raccoon, Yeller contracts rabies. To put him out of misery, they have to shoot Yeller. Much like All Quiet on the Western Front, this shows us how fragile life can be. Though through dramatic changes in life, such as death, we must learn to deal and move on.
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