Euthanasia in "Of Mice and Men"

Euthanasia

Jack Kevorkian

(a.k.a. Dr. Death)

History of Euthanasia

"Of Mice and Men"

Definition

He was best known for publicly campaigning a terminal patients right to die via physician assisted suicide

• *Euthanasia comes from the Greek words Eu meaning "good" and Thanatosis meaning "death"- meaning "good death"
• The first recorded use of the the word was by Suetonius, a Roman historian
• In the 20th century the New York State Medical Association recommended euthanasia; proposals came from Ohio and Iowa state legislatures but were rejected

In the book “ Of Mice and Men” Euthanasia played a small theme but a very important one. One example of euthanasia in “Of Mice of Men” is for a moment he was business like” (Steinbeck 105). This described George’s personality before he killed Lennie. He prepared himself to get ready to kill his friend. He did this to save Lennie who would have either gone to jail or died a painful death.

Not only is euthanasia used for humans but animals also." I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with" (Steinbeck 47). Carlson is referring to Candy's old dog.

The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (this practice is illegal in most countries)

Euthanasia in the Holocaust

What the Bible says...

• In October of 1939 amid the turmoil of the outbreak of war, Hitler ordered widespread "mercy killing" of the sick and disabled
• A decision on whether to allow the child to live was then made by three medical experts solely on the basis of the questionnaire, without any examination and without reading any medical records

• And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28)
• Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God's image. Some churches also emphasise the importance of not interfering with the natural process of death

Works Cited

Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York, New York

Viking Press Ink, 1938. Print.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-euthanasia.htm

http://www.life.org.nz/euthanasia/abouteuthanasia/history-euthanasia1/

http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000022

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kevorkian

https://www.google.com/#q=euthanasia+definition

http://www.openbible.info/topics/euthanasia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml

http://www.studymode.com/essays/Euthanasia-In-Of-Mice-And-Men-444024.html