Analysis of a short story "To Hell with Dying" by Walker

Essay by Anonymous UserCollege, Undergraduate October 2007

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“To Hell with Dying” by Alice Walker begins with old neighbor Mr. Sweet on his deathbed and his neighboring family gathering around him for his coming death with sad faces except the children’s father trying to put cheerful mood by saying, “To hell with dying, man.” He revives many times because during the times of his deaths, the family comes to his house most of the times and the youngest child kisses him all over until he laughs so loud. He has many good memories with the family playing guitar and with children. The youngest child loves him the most, everything about him. At last, he dies in his ninetieth year and when he dies the young girl now grown up realizes he is her first love.

Mr. Sweet is tall, thin, and old that is always kind to his neighbor family, especially to children. He is always drunk, sad, and somber but when he is with these children, he feels good and plays with them.

The youngest child loves everything about him, the wrinkles, brown skin, white hair, and even if he drinks all the time. She loves how he calls her princess because it makes her felt beautiful and special. Mr. Sweet has lost his whole family and is left alone so he loves being around these children. He revives from his death many times because of this family coming to visit him when he gives them a sign of sadness that his death is coming. As these children show their love him, he regains his strength and revives many hard times. She doesn’t realize that Mr. Sweet is old but as same age as her and as playmate. The youngest child believes that he will revive as long as she is besides him until his...