Lament for a Son

¶ … Grief The author of this report is asked to analyze and assess the work Lament For a Son as authored by Wolterstorff. Indeed, the author of that treatise exemplifies and shows the five stages of grief as defined and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. The author of this report will briefly cover the Kubler-Ross framework and how it manifests in the Wolterstorff offering. Further, the author of this report will describe the manner in which Wolterstorff found joy after his loss.

Also, there will be a description and a depiction of what death means when it comes to the common Christian narrative. Finally, the author will cover how the hope of a resurrection plays a role in the comforting of Wolterstorff. While the death of his son is shown to have hit Wolterstoff very hard as he offers his thoughts, it is clear that he eventually finds at least some solace and comfort.

Summary Those that are familiar with grief and how it is commonly dealt with are probably aware, to at least some degree, of the Kubler-Ross model. Indeed, the five stages of grief within this model are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. In the denial stage, a person tends to be in shock and refuses to believe that the person they have lost is gone. With anger, a person will be angry about their loss. However, it is a necessary step in the process. After that would come bargaining.

This is when a person tries to negotiate and "bargain" with God about the loss. For example, a person might pray that they can get their loved one back, as if the death was a bad dream, if they simply promise to act the right way or live the right life. After bargaining comes depression. This is when the "empty feelings" present themselves to a person in grief.

There is often a withdrawal from life and the normal daily activities that a person may have enjoyed engaging in prior to a loss of a loved one. Finally, there is the notion of acceptance. This is not to suggest that a person is "OK" with the loss, but rather accepts it as a reality and thus realizes that they have to move and press on (Grief.com, 2015). The stages above are clear and apparent while reading the Wolterstorff text.

For example, a modicum of acceptance is noted when Wolterstorff says "I shall accept my regrets as part of my life, to be numbered among my self-inflicted wounds" (Wolterstorff, 1987). Depression and solitude can be found in the phrase "it's the neverness that is so painful. Never again to be here with us -- never to sit with us at the table…all the rest of our lives we must live without him. Only our death can stop the pain of his death" (Wolterstorff, 1987).

A smidge of denial can be seen in the phrase "why are the photographs of him as a little boy so incredibly hard to look at? Something is over. Now instead of those shiny moments being things we can share together in delighted memories, I, the survivor, have to bear them alone" (Wolterstorff, 1987). However, the assignment asks for whether there is joy in the book and this is absolutely the case.

Indeed, the author touches upon an eventual joy when he notes "And I shall allow them to sharpen my vision and intensify the hope for that Great Day coming when we can all throw ourselves into each other's arms and say, 'I'm sorry' "(Wolterstorff, 1987). Of course, death is a rather important part of the equation when it comes to the Christian narrative. The Bible teaches its readers that the dead will be "asleep" until the Second Coming when everyone is arisen and brought forth for judgment.

Based on the passage of John 3:16 and others, there is the assertion that those that believe in Jesus and his salvation will earn everlasting life in his Kingdom. The last quote given above from the Wolterstorff treatise is obviously hearkening to that blessed day. However, the author of that book also clearly struggles because perhaps he feels the time between that moment and that eventual reunion will be grueling and long-lasting.

Even so, he eventually asserts that the good day will come and that it will be a great occurrence when it happens (Aitken, 1968). Finally, we come to the subject of resurrection as it relates to the Wolterstorff tale and the loss of his son. Not all of the thoughts in the book relating to the resurrection are positive. Indeed, page 40 of the book refers to the burning candle that he is holding. He states eloquently "The candle was still burning firmly and brightly as the people began pressing round.

The undertakers stirred to take the coffin away. What am I to do now, blow out the symbol of.