Life After Death In The Five People You Meet In Heaven

708 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The theme of death used in literature

At some point in everyone’s life we experience thoughts about death, whether they’re positive or negative depends on their outlook on the afterlife. While some view death as only the beginning of their eternal life, others view it as the absolute end. When we think about the afterlife, most think that its either we go to Heaven or Hell. But since this is not proven and is such a broad topic, throughout history many authors have been concerned and curious with the uncertainties about the afterlife. Life after death is known mostly through faith, the imagination must make up for what lies beyond. Therefor authors and poets express their beliefs about death through their literary works. Death is something that is very scary to think of, but it will all happen to us at one point or another. This relates to the novel The Five People You Meet in Heaven, death plays a prevalent role in the life of the protagonist and death made him learn his values and his purpose …show more content…

He describes heaven as “a paradise garden, a place where they can float on clouds and laze in rivers and mountains. But scenery without solace is meaningless" (Albom 35). Here, Albom views of a Heaven is not filled with the familiar imagery of angels, clouds, and harps. Albom’s interpretation of Heaven goes beyond these superficial markers; he indicates that Heaven is a process of spiritual purification instead of a singular physical destination. Eddie learns that his journey into the afterlife can only progress if he deals with the emotional and spiritual baggage he is carrying from his earthly life. Eddie’s encounters with his five people in Heaven are not always comforting; these meetings are emotionally and physically painful at times. Therefore, Albom ascribes an important purpose to his depiction of Heaven: to break all earthly ties - no matter how beloved or wretched the memories might

Show More
Related

  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

    1013 Words  | 3 Pages

    What do the following words or phrases have in common: “the last departure,”, “final curtain,” “the end,” “darkness,” “eternal sleep”, “sweet release,” “afterlife,” and “passing over”? All, whether grim or optimistic, are synonymous with death. Death is a shared human experience. Regardless of age, gender, race, religion, health, wealth, or nationality, it is both an idea and an experience that every individual eventually must confront in the loss of others and finally face the reality of our own. Whether you first encounter it in the loss of a pet, a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a pop culture icon, or a valued community member, it can leave you feeling numb, empty, and shattered inside. But, the world keeps turning and life continues. The late Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers and of Pixar Animation Studios, in his 2005 speech to the graduating class at Stanford, acknowledged death’s great power by calling it “the single best invention of Life” and “Life’s great change agent.” How, in all its finality and accompanying sadness, can death be good? As a destination, what does it have to teach us about the journey?

    Read More

  • Finding Meaning and Purpose in Mitch Albom’s, The Five People You Meet In Heaven

    969 Words  | 2 Pages

    Prior to meeting the five people that he meets in heaven, he feels as if his life is worthless and has no meaning. Physically he is not in good shape, “His left knee, wounded in the war, was ruined by arthritis. He used a cane to get around”(2, paragraph 1). He feels stuck at a place with a job that he absolutely hates, “He cursed his father for dying and for trapping him in the very life he’d been trying to escape: a life that, as he heard the old man laughing from the grave, apparently now was good enough for him”(128, paragraph 1). The one and only love of his life has died, “I lost everything. I lost the only woman I ever loved”(173, paragraph 9). The triumphs bring Eddie down and make him feel as if his life did not go as he had planned.

    Read More

  • Mitch Albom’s, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    Everyone Eddie met in heaven taught him something about his life. They were all connected to him in different ways, whether it was someone close to him once, or a complete stranger. Somehow, all of their lives had crossed Eddie’s and helped make him the person that he had become. When you think about this lesson, you truly understand. One decision causes an effect, maybe on your life or maybe on someone else’s life. That effect will cause something else. It’s what I think of as a ripple effect. Everything happens for a reason, and all of the events that lead up to our “now” makes us who we are.

    Read More

  • Death Be Not Proud Personification

    679 Words  | 2 Pages

    Death, it is eventual there is no stopping it. Throughout history many great literary authors try to convey how they perceive death through their works. One of the most common ways some authors use to convey death is by personification, this shows how the authors see death in their image through their works by bring death to life. This can be seen in short stories and poems such as “Death be not proud”, “Because I could not stop for death”, and “Ozymandias”. Without death there is no life, death is the reason for life.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Five People You Meet In Heaven

    518 Words  | 2 Pages

    The novel “the five people you meet in heaven”, focus around a man named Eddie during his journey through heaven. Throughout my reading of the novel all of these elements fit together nicely, as if pieces of a puzzle, to deliver an enjoyable unique reading experience to me as the reader. Some of the most interesting elements present were, characterization, themes, and style.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Aurelius And Lucretius

    1625 Words  | 4 Pages

    Lucretius and Marcus Aurelius, have both similar and different views on the role that death plays in life and philosophy. They both believe our fear is due in some part to the uncertainty that surrounds the process of death. However, both philosophers have dissimilar approaches on why we shouldn’t fear the unknown concept of death. Drawing from these reasons and explanations, they arrive at the way this fear affects our lives and what we should do to change it.

    Read More

  • everyman

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    It's no secret, some day we all must die and face the challenges that go along with knowing your time is up. Throughout history and modern day literature, authors and play writers have used and continue to use life experiences as well imagery such as death to help the reader to relate to the narrative. The author of the morality play Everyman helps the audience to understand that at some point all of mankind must die and when they do, they must face God on "judgment day." Throughout this paper, I the writer will attempt to evaluate and analyze the perception as well as the treatment of death in Everyman. I will also explain and compare the Christian faith with use of biblical scriptures.

    Read More

  • Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven

    1537 Words  | 4 Pages

    Eddie, throughout the novel, strives to find meaning of his life. He wants to know the importance of his place on earth, but he just never seems to go deep enough to find out why or what. For example, when Eddie constantly questions himself for never leaving Ruby Pier. Eddie goes on to meet his five people in heaven where he begins to see that there's so much more to life than what he believes. He realizes the attractiveness of the many moments and relationships that have taken place in his life even th ones that didn't seem that important to Eddie at the time. What a Wonderful World is a song by Louis Armstrong that relates to The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Both the song and the book have a strong sense of what it means to truly take in and be grateful for even the most minescule events that happen in ones life. Another song that is related to the novel is Don't Stop Believing by Journey. The lyrics from the song translate to tell that life may not always go as planned and there may be some bumps in the road, however everyone has to keep in mind what motivated them to get them to where they are right now. It's important to remember the feeling of not only satisfication but also happiness when trying to revive those feelings in times of

    Read More

  • Book Report On The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    of Eddie's life on Earth and the beginning of his journey through heaven. The basic

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Five People You Meet In Heaven

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although I chose to read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom based primarily on availibility, I am quite happy that I did. The character I liked reading about most was Tala. Her innocence was an appreciated break from not only the very problematic and adult actions of the characters/ people in this book, but in most media ever, and in real life. Although Tala is my favorite character, I 've found I 'm more alike to Ruby. Despite the entirety of our financial situations being very different, we are one and the same in one aspect that was quite crucial to Ruby 's character. We both want people we appreciate to be safe, warm, well-fed, and happy. Ruby 's heaven was a diner where people that she loved and appreciated, and that had

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Thomas Nagel On Death

    1591 Words  | 4 Pages

    He begins by looking at the very common views of death that are held by most people in the world, and tells us that he will talk of death as the "unequivocal and permanent end to our existence" and look directly at the nature of death itself (1). The first view that

    Read More

  • The Five People You Meet In Heaven Analysis

    361 Words  | 1 Pages

    “No story sits by itself, Sometimes stories meet at corners and sometimes they cover one another completely, like stones beneath a river.” The book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, has taught me many lessons that I can use for the rest of my life, but there are a few that really stood out to me: everyone is connected in some way, there is a purpose for your life, and anger is a poison. The authors put themes in a story to try and teach you something, but it is up to you to take them in and use them in your own life.

    Read More

  • Death And Afterlife In The Bible

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout history, the concept of death and an afterlife has always been present regardless of the culture or religion. It has also been very influential in literature and other writings. In the epic poem The Odyssey, by Homer, there is a portrayal of the Greek beliefs of the afterlife. The Bible addresses this theme as well in the gospel of Matthew. Between these two works, there are noticeable differences about the beliefs of death due to the different cultures in which they were written. Despite the many variations, there are some slight similarities regarding the afterlife. Although the two writings were composed in different cultures and time periods, the notions of an afterlife in each piece can be easily related.

    Read More

  • Life After Death

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is going to happen to us when we will die? Some people never considered what it could happen to them after life. For many people, death is a redoubtable event because they do not know what to expect after their death. However, other persons, such as religious people are conscious of what to expect after their death because of their beliefs. Each religion has different ideas and different ways of looking life. Death, therefore, is viewed by different religions in many ways. Although, different religions have a distinct conception of death, they all have something in common: they all give hope to people. Among all different religions in the world, four of the most common ones - Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu- view death in different ways.

    Read More

  • Attitude Towards Death

    1522 Words  | 4 Pages

    Poetry’s perspective on death has evolved to embrace society’s beliefs; from the devout Christianity in the Renaissance to the secular views of today’s world. The Renaissance believed in using religion to fight death, because death was something that came to people early and unexpectedly. The Romantic period saw new forms of expression and therefore new ideas. They thought that death was simply a passage to heaven, as the poets expressed. Finally, as the Modern period revolutionized the arts and our church attendance plummeted, poets saw religion as irrelevant in helping people deal with death. In truth, poetry doesn’t just voice the poet’s opinions, it reflects society’s beliefs.

    Read More

More about Life After Death In The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Open Document