Mortality - Themes, The Autobiography Of Malcolm X | The Autobiography of Malcolm X -Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

No one wants to talk about death. It's scary, we don't really know what happens when you die, and we'd rather watch another season of Survivorinstead. But not Malcolm X in The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Nope, he likes to talk about his imminent death every time he can. For him death is not scary, it's more like a merit badge. If he dies young, it's because he was doing the right thing. We don't know if we agree with him, but we guess it's better than being afraid all the time.

Questions About Mortality

1. Why do you think that Malcolm X constantly foreshadows his own death in The Autobiography of Malcolm X? What effect does it have on your reading experience? How would that change if you didn't know he was assassinated?
2. What reasons does Malcolm X give in The Autobiography of Malcolm X for believing he's going to die? How do the reasons change as he grows older?
3. How is Malcolm's view of mortality changed by religion in The Autobiography of Malcolm X? Why is the lack of afterlife in the Nation of Islam appealing for many people?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

Malcolm X thinks death is no big deal in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Malcolm X does everything he can to prevent his own death in The Autobiography of Malcolm X.