The Last Stop

Write a paragraph or two about the assumptions, values, and beliefs underlying Cable's observational essay. As you write, explain how the assumptions are reflected in the text, as well as what you think of them now - maybe even include some of your own assumptions.

Then, write several sentences explaining your impressions about Goodbody Mortuaries - support explanation from the reading. Did you think Cable successfully conveyed an impression of the funeral home? How will this essay help you write your own?

            The first main assumption that Cable makes is in what he thought the mortuary would look like.  He thought it would have beautiful lawns and extravagant gardens, something that stood out from the every day world. However, he found that it was in the middle of a business district and a big pink building with an electric clock on top of it, making it nothing he imagined. If I had to picture a mortuary I probably would have made my assumption closer to Cable’s as opposed to what it actually looked like.  The next assumption he makes I about the funeral director’s appearance. Here he was spot on as he pictured him as being tall, slim and with beady eyes. My assumption would have probably been the same, as the director of funerals would most likely not look very lively.  As he proceeds to learn more about the mortuary, what they do, and why they do it he begins to learn the value of seeing people, as they were when they were living even when they are dead. He learns this by how they restore the looks of the deceased if they are in an accident or if there are deformities caused by illnesses.  Although the value he learned was probably not as much the appearance factor as it was the emotional factor.  I think what we can learn from that is after someone has died we need to remember how they were when they were living and in the peak of their life, not who they were struggling in their last days of their lives. 

            The part that stood out to me the most about this reading was the whole part about Mr. Deaver explaining that they get satisfaction in trying to restore the deceased to the state they were while they were living.  Attending many funerals and experiencing many losses in my life, it is not always and easy time to go through. However, I do think that it is very important to picture them as they were living and why we loved them so much, and not about how sad we were when they passed away.  I think this will help me in writing my essay because just like cable did, I will have to go into an experience and try to make observations and relate them to how I am feeling.