Introduction: Death and/as Relationality

Introduction:Death and/as Relationality Enda McCaffrey and Steven Wilson ON OCTOBER 7, 2020, The Washington Post published an article entitled "Covid-19 makes us think about our mortality. Our brains aren't designed for that."1 Exploring the "eerie uncomfortable feeling"—resulting from a combination of grief, distress, apprehension—that, many, has characterized co-existence with global pandemic, author interviewed three social psychologists on subject "the existential anxiety caused by reminders own mortality." Drawing research carried out these academics, piece proposed that, when we live in state which are constantly made aware inevitability not death as generality, but death, experience form shock. This condition is compounded comforting familiarity routine disrupted. If SARS-CoV-2 performed any useful function, it at least accelerated process that began to develop 1970s, forcing confront psychological, cultural, possibly even neurological propensity deny death.2 daily press conferences, news bulletins, media feeds, each containing update latest tolls, have rendered mortality shockingly salient. It hardly surprising, then, cafés, people openly discuss their fears, questions, understandings end life, witnessed surge demand 2020—even if they had be hosted Zoom.3 special issue contributes current impulse break taboo death. considers what French cultural philosophical production nineteenth century present day tells how dying, represent means die. Bringing together Thanatos (in Greek mythology personification death/dying) suffix "ology" (the study account, story or speech), this explores new frames trajectories way dying reimagined literary, cinematic, narratives ("récits de mort") span period medicalization demedicalization departs premise modern culture—with its rich distinctive artistic, reflections illness body—has much contribute debates meaning(s) experience(s) Catherine Ceylac's 2018 book À la vie à mort, brings fourteen leading artists, writers, personnalités who share Ceylac—and reader—their thoughts absence, loss, pain, beliefs [End Page 1] context losing loved one, provides illustration France's recent public conversation death.4 topical taking place France euthanasia, following decision Assemblée consultative du Conseil économique, et environnemental (CESE) adopt recommendation suffering incurable disease "en phase avancée ou terminale," whose pain classified "inapaisable," should right benefit "sédation profonde explicitement létale," offer further compelling evidence reconsidering relationship death.5 socio-cultural shifts towards talking thinking all more remarkable since, Ceylac observes, Western cultures traditionally been reticent, anxious, subject: "Par peur l'inconnu, mystère, vide abyssal, en Occident, est taboue, parle baissant voix, demi-mot, qu'elle nous contamine" (Ceylac 10). Such traditional surrounding given rise endless series euphemisms. In English, refer someone being "at peace," rest," "in better place"; explain "passed away," "departed," "deceased." French, too, there plethora linguistic options available one wishes avoid explicit mention mort: "rendre le dernier soupir"; l'esprit"; "expirer"; "cesser vivre." Two most common expressions relating "elle s'est éteinte dans son sommeil" "il...