To Hell with Dying, a short story written by Alice Walker is a heartwarming exploration of love, mortality, and childhood innocence, set in a racially segregated Southern community. Through vivid storytelling, Walker introduces readers to the unforgettable character of Mr. Sweet, an elderly African American man with a troubled past. The story follows their genuine love and unwavering determination to bring him back from the brink of death on numerous occasions. As the narrative unfolds, themes of racial inequality and the resilience of the human spirit subtly weave into the heart of the story.
To Hell With Dying | Summary
The story opens by describing a man named Mr. Sweet, who lives on a neglected cotton farm and is a diabetic, alcoholic, and guitar player. The narrator’s father calls on Mr. Sweet whenever he is dying, and Mr. Sweet seems to have a unique ability to bounce back from the brink of death after receiving affection from children. Mr. Sweet had once aspired to be a doctor, lawyer, or sailor but ended up as a fisherman and guitar player. His son is irresponsible, and Mr. Sweet’s wife works hard to provide for him. Despite his alcoholism, Mr. Sweet is kind to the narrator and their siblings. He is often drunk but maintains some coherence in conversation.
The narrator describes his relationship with Mr. Sweet, an elderly man who lives nearby. The children in the family are fond of him, especially the narrator, who admires his white hair and wrinkles. Mr. Sweet often plays the guitar for the family, and they gather to listen to him. The narrator sees Mr. Sweet as a special person and feels pretty and important when he calls her his princess. Mr. Sweet had loved someone else but married Miss Mary, and he is unsure if their son, Joe Lee, is actually his. Sometimes, he falls ill and is on the verge of dying, but the family knows how to bring him back from the brink.
One night, when Mr. Sweet is very sad and drunk, the narrator comforts him, wishing she could have been the woman he loved. Later, when they hear he is near death, the family rushes to his house to bring him back from the brink once again. The doctor warns the children not to go into the ‘death room,’ but the father insists that Mr. Sweet is what they want. The children rush to Mr. Sweet’s bedside and perform a ‘revival’ to bring him back from the brink of death, which involves showing him love and affection. The children are accustomed to this routine and know how to bring Mr. Sweet back. They ask him when he will visit them again and if they can play his guitar.
During these moments, the narrator shares a close and affectionate bond with Mr. Sweet, sitting and lying on his shoulder and chest. The brother pretends to play the guitar and imitates a young version of Mr. Sweet. The children fear that Mr. Sweet might leave them one day, and their love and attention seem to be essential for keeping him alive. In this concluding part of the story, the narrator recounts their last visit to Mr. Sweet, who is now in his eighties and nearing the end of his life. The narrator, having finished their doctorate, rushes back home upon hearing that Mr. Sweet is dying again. The house is dilapidated but surrounded by beautiful yellow roses. The narrator is relieved to find Mr. Sweet still alive, with his long white beard flowing down his thin body.
The family gathers around Mr. Sweet, and the narrator’s father proclaims that their daughter is home to see him. The narrator shares a moment of connection with Mr. Sweet, stroking his closed eyes and feeling his presence. However, soon after, Mr. Sweet’s eyes close for the last time, and he passes away. The family holds back tears as they come to terms with the loss of their dear friend. Mr. Sweet’s guitar is given to the narrator, as he had wanted her to have it. The narrator plucks the strings of the guitar, keeping the memory of Mr. Sweet alive through the music. The scent of the yellow roses and the magic of Mr. Sweet linger in the room as the narrator fondly remembers him as their first love.
To Hell With Dying | Analysis
According to Michael Hollister, because the story is archetypal, the group of readers has the chance to draw on shared experiences. Mr. Sweet Little, an elderly man who is frequently on the verge of death but is brought back to life through a customary rite by the love of children, himself brings the soul’s endangered capacities back to life. The story is ritualistic and ‘spontaneous,’ with a repeated and inventive style that initially resembles a revival gathering.
Dolan Hubbard argues that Walker does not separate the community from the individual female-centered consciousness; on the contrary, she shows people acting in both extra- and intra-community contexts. Her stories highlight the ‘historical’ and ’empirical’ necessity to free Black people not only from the ongoing effects of their slave past—abject poverty, geographic limitations, and the lack of meaningful options.
‘To Hell with Dying’ is a poignant story that honors the best aspects of the Black experience. The young girl narrator and Sweet Little (also known as Mr. Sweet), a guy who is perpetually dying but somehow escapes death, are the story’s main characters. The sharecropping community that makes up the scene and the narrator’s family round out the talented supporting cast. She ‘matter-of-factly’ tells us that Mr. Sweet is a diabetic and a guitarist who lived close by on a run-down cotton plantation, and he was also an alcoholic. Despite his unfulfilled ambitions, he had aspired to be a lawyer, doctor, or sailor. The narrator is inspired to dream by Mr. Sweet, a well-known figure in the Black community, who affirms the dreamer’s access to an infinite number of opportunities.’
Walker shows her awareness of the complexity of the Black experience through the dynamic interplay between the participant-narrator, who never loses her vivacity, and Mr. Sweet, who never loses his ability to externalize his pain through singing. Mr. Sweet seems to be a little girl as a kind playmate who enjoys sharing humorous stories.
Through the prism of American history, Mr. Sweet appears to be a failure, a useless contributor to society who crumbles under the weight of a repressive society. Despite the abolishment of slavery, Black people still struggle mightily to reinterpret their historical position as laborers in a society that rejects them at their very core. In a rhyming sense, the term ‘Sweet Little’ denotes his diminished status in this society’ exploitative paradigm. ‘Sweet’ has domestic connotations and is associated with being a ‘kept’ man or a ladies’ man. The term ‘little’ implies that the Black man’s identity has been erased and that he is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. that Black males live lives where they have little or no influence over the choices that affect their own lives or the community. Despite the abolishment of slavery, Black people still struggle mightily to reinterpret their historical position as laborers in a society that rejects them at their very core.
The participant-narrator sees Mr. Sweet as redeemable because Mr. Sweet did not allow the dominant community’s definition of him—as an unproductive misfit—to define his entire existence. Instead, he learned to live with that definition while creating a life that allowed him to deal with the day-to-day reality of that oppression. In this way, ‘To Hell with Dying’ also serves as a metaphor for the toughness and tenacity of Black life, which is known for its capacity to create something out of nothing. Mr. Sweet’s guitar is a representation of how Black people can use their musical talent to inject a little joy into an otherwise depressing existence. Mr. Sweet uses his art to serve as a conduit for consciousness. He has a huge influence on the participant-narrator’s consciousness since he serves as both the storyteller and a character in this celebration of the spirit. Mr. Sweet taught the narrator to love herself, which is the best form of love of all, thus to declare that he is her first love is to acknowledge this. Walker allows the reader/spectator immediate access to the integrated consciousness of her ideal woman’s life-affirming activities. ‘To Hell with Dying’ is an uplifting speech about love.
To Hell With Dying | Themes
The central theme of the story is love, which drives the plot and shapes the relationships between the characters. The narrative poignantly demonstrates the strength of love and the intense emotional bonds that may develop between people, transcending difficulties and even the certainty of death. The narrator’s family members’ love for Mr. Sweet, the ailing and elderly man who lives down the road, is the main subject of love in the narrative. Despite Mr. Sweet’s turbulent past, which includes his battles with alcohol and health issues, the family adores and cherishes him. Even in the face of his many near-death experiences, they sincerely care about him and show unflinching love and commitment.
Mr. Sweet is frequently ‘revived’ by the kids, particularly the narrator, who uses kisses, cuddles, and tickles to pull him back from the grave. Mr. Sweet and the narrator develop a strong emotional bond thanks to his kind and kind demeanor, as well as his playful interactions with the kids. He is viewed as a father figure by the kids, and he refers to the narrator as his ‘princess,’ which makes her feel special and appreciated. Although Mr. Sweet has flaws and a terrible past, his family still loves him and is willing to forgive and accept him. Instead of passing judgment on him harshly for his errors, they embrace him as a treasured part of their family and demonstrate understanding, compassion, and forgiveness. The story showcases the power of love to transcend adversity and create lasting emotional connections. The story celebrates the depth of love and the profound connections it can forge, even in the face of life’s challenges.
The text’s second main theme is death. The novel prominently and movingly examines the idea of death from the viewpoint of the family’s young members who have grown accustomed to seeing Mr. Sweet’s many near-death experiences. Because of Mr. Sweet’s almost daily encounters with mortality, the youngsters in the narrative have a special perspective on death. Because they have often seen him close to passing away, they have grown somewhat numb to the terror and finality that accompany it. They view death as a real, albeit transient, occurrence rather than as an abstract idea. To Hell with Dying became the family’s catchphrase anytime
As the story progresses, the theme of mortality takes on a more somber tone. Mr. Sweet’s passing ultimately becomes inevitable, and the family faces the reality of loss and grief. The children, who were once confident in their ability to revive him, now come to terms with the permanence of death, experiencing the pain of losing a beloved friend. The children’s innocent and somewhat naive approach towards death emphasizes their limited understanding of its finality. Despite their struggles with the loss of Mr. Sweet, the family eventually comes to accept the natural cycle of life and death. The theme of mortality highlights the bittersweet nature of life, where love, loss, and memories intertwine to create a meaningful journey. It explores the complex emotions and perspectives surrounding death. It illustrates the power of love to defy mortality temporarily and the eventual acceptance of life’s cycle.
Racial disparity is an underlying subject in ‘To Hell with Dying’ that gently discusses the socioeconomic realities faced by African Americans at the time the novel is set. Racial discrimination is still perceptible in some parts of the story, despite the fact that it predominantly concentrates on the connections between the characters and on themes of love, mortality, and childlike innocence. Mr. Sweet’s childhood aspirations to become a doctor, lawyer, or sailor are briefly mentioned in the narrative. However, he is unable to pursue these aspirations because of the racial discrimination that was common at the time. He is forced to choose between fishing and playing the guitar as his only professions because he is a man of color with few job possibilities. The story also mentions Mr. Sweet’s son, Joe Lee, who is described as ‘shiftless’ and spends money excessively. This portrayal might suggest that he, too, faces limited opportunities and struggles due to racial inequality. The portrayal of Mr. Sweet’s impoverished living conditions on a neglected cotton farm reflects the socioeconomic disparities faced by African American communities at that time.
Despite the racial inequality and challenges he faces, Mr. Sweet remains a resilient and kind-hearted individual. His ability to find joy in life and bring happiness to the children in the neighborhood demonstrates his strength in the face of adversity. The story does not explicitly address racial inequality in a confrontational manner, but it subtly conveys the injustices faced by African Americans during that time. By presenting Mr. Sweet’s limited opportunities and economic struggles, the story alludes to the systemic racial injustice of the era. The story’s primary emphasis remains on themes of love, mortality, and childhood innocence, but its portrayal of racial dynamics adds depth and complexity to the narrative.
To Hell With Dying | Title
The title of the story, ‘To Hell with Dying‘ immediately grabs the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the narrative. It is a bold and emotionally charged phrase that reflects the defiant and resilient attitude of the characters towards death. The title encapsulates one of the central themes of the story – the characters’ refusal to accept the finality of death and their unwavering determination to keep Mr. Sweet alive.
To Hell With Dying | Character Sketch
Mr. Sweet (Old Mr. Sweet Little): Mr. Sweet is an elderly man living on a neglected cotton farm. He is a diabetic, alcoholic, and a skilled guitar player. Despite his hardships, he is kind, gentle, and deeply loved by the narrator’s family. He has a unique ability to come back from the brink of death, and the children believe that their love and attention can keep him alive.
The Narrator: The narrator is one of the children in the family and has a close bond with Mr. Sweet. She is deeply affectionate, caring, and unafraid of death due to her experiences with Mr. Sweet’s near-death episodes. The narrator is compassionate and does her best to revive Mr. Sweet. She is emotionally attached to him, and his passing leaves a lasting impact on her.
The Narrator’s Father: The narrator’s father is a strong, assertive man with a caring nature. He is the one who calls on Mr. Sweet whenever he is dying, and he believes in the power of love to keep him alive. He is unwavering in his defiance towards death and uses the phrase ‘To Hell with Dying’ to bring Mr. Sweet back from the brink.
To Hell With Dying | Literary Devices
The story is a first-person account that captures the wonder and charm of the narrator’s youth while tempering it with the viewpoint of experience and adulthood. It is also told with an innocence that is aware rather than naive. The writing is free-flowing and reads like a stream of consciousness as the narrator freely reflects on her past while making random observations, looping repetitions, and loose associations. The story’s focal point may be Mr. Sweet’s inherent benevolence, but this goodness coexists with more unfavorable facets of his character. The narrator has been aware of these since she was a young child, including his drunkenness, lost ambition, sporadic episodes of sadness, and miserable marriage.
The story also uses imagery. Imagery is a literary device that uses descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures in the reader’s mind.
‘Mr. Sweet was a tall, thinnish man with thick kinky hair going dead white.’
‘His eyes were squinty and sort of bluish.’
‘His mustache, which was long and sort of straggly, would shake like Spanish moss and was also that color.‘
‘The house was more dilapidated than when I was last there, barely a shack, but it was overgrown with yellow roses, which my family had planted many years ago.’
‘The air was heavy and sweet and very peaceful.’
‘My cue to throw myself upon the bed and kiss Mr. Sweet all around the whiskers and under the eyes and around the collar of his nightshirt where he smelled so strongly of all sorts of things, mostly liniment.’
Imagery in the text helps to bring the characters, settings, and emotions to life, allowing readers to engage more deeply with the story.
Alice Walker also uses metaphors which play a significant role in literature by adding depth, symbolism, and emotional resonance to the writing. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using ‘like’ or ‘as.’ It creates a direct connection between the two, allowing the reader to see one thing in terms of another, often in a more vivid or imaginative way.
‘…and his mustache, which was long and sort of
straggly, would shake like Spanish moss and was also that color.’
‘…my hairline, which was rather low down, nearly to my brows, and made some people say I looked like a baby monkey.’
‘He was like a piece of rare and delicate china which was always being saved from breaking and which finally fell.’
