Death Of A Moth Analysis

Analyzing “The Death of a Moth”
Gary Gilmore states that, “Death is the only inescapable unavoidable sure thing. We are sentenced to die the day we were born.” As we look into the “The Death of the Moth” we are able to see the conflict between life and death. Virginia Woolf illustrates that the struggle between both is neither won, or loss. In the way that Woolf changes the tone throughout the piece, and the metaphor of the struggling Moth conjure a sense of pity and hopelessness to the reader. In the piece we observe a moth fighting frantically to escape a windowpane. When something or someone is in need of help we instinctively try to go aid, but as the speaker gets closer to the moth they realize that the moth is dancing with death. A faith that is inescapable to every living creature. Moths historically have been associated with death as a metaphorical symbol. Which in this case makes it ironic. She uses the word “moths” in the beginning as a plural collective form and not singular. The two facts together can speak to the general public, or general individuals are not safe from death. The moth is also a tangible representation of Woolf’s mental illn. She struggles with bipolar disorder and manic depression. The way the moth wrestled with death could suggest the struggles …show more content…
As long as you as a person are able to live life to its fullest and then you can die with dignity without having to put up a fight because their life had meaning and value. The only way we can learn to value the life we have is to fight for it just as the moth did as it overcame the obstacles it may have faced. Though initially the speaker did feel that “his zest in enjoying his meager opportunities to the full” is pitiful, however later is impressed by the strength and