The novel, Death Be Not Proud, by John Gunther, is the story of

the struggle of a child to stay alive. Johnny Gunther Jr.'s constant

hope got him out of bed every morning with a positive attitude. His

outright opposition to the fact that he was going to die and his

determination not to, kept a fiery spirit in him so that he didn't

give up. Johnny's stubborn determination to not accept defeat at so

early an age, along with the tremendous courage he showed when

realizing that he must accept his defeat, is a strong point portrayed

in this novel. Johnny's hope, determination, and courage kept his

death at bay.

One of the main reasons that Johnny remained alive for so much

longer than he should have lived, was the hope that he possessed. He

hoped every day of his illness that he would get better, that his

parents would be spared their grief, or that some doctor would come up

with a revolutionary idea that would heal him. Because of his hope,

Johnny never complained or protested during the entire course of his

illness. He always obeyed the doctors' wishes and followed their

instructions to a "T" because he wanted so desparatly to get well.

Although he realized that eventually his life would end, he still

never gave up the hope that perhaps he could outsmart his fate to die,

if just to steal a few extra hours.

Each day, until his last, the determination Johnny had to get

well, live a normal life, and even maintain his schoolwork was

phenominal. After being away from school for sixteen months, being

tested constantly by doctors, and having a rapidly deteriorationg

brain, Johnny still managed to graduate with his class and be accepted

into Harvard. Throughout his illness, Johnny always had an unwavering

will to survive, to awake the next morning and find that he was well,

that he had only been dreaming the nightmare of his illness. When

Johnny awoke each morning however, he felt the bandage on his head and

realized that he was living this horrific nightmare. But even through

this tremendous disappointment, Johnny kept fighting, determined to

recuperate. Johnny should be admired for not giving up under the

intense emotional burden of knowing that each breath may be his last.

Johnny's story is one that will be remembered because of the

courage he had. If he had had any fears of death, they were unknown

because of his consideration for others and not wanting to burden

others with his troubles. One can only imagine what it must have been

like to lie awake at night alone in a hospital room, wondering what it

is like to die and to awaken the next morning, shed all questions and

fears of the night before, and cheerfully greet those around you.

Johnny's inner struggle and turmoil was something that no one knows

nor will ever know. Throughout his many medical treatments and moments

of pain, Johnny was always strong and brave. He always smiled and hung

in there fighting. Even with his final unconcious breath, there

was still animation in him, he was still determined to live.

Thankfully he died with a smile on his lips, without pain, with

dignity, and with courage and strength to face the next world he would

enter.

Johnny's gallant fight for life, against the most hopeless odds,

should convey a message to anyone who has ever been ill. Through a

child's hope, determination and courage when about to die, a for of a

hero is made. Johnny's manner in facing the awful reality of dying is

something that is looked up to by all and we should all strive to

achieve this manner. Johnny Gunther accepted his fate to die and not

live his life to the fullest with complete acceptance, if not full

understanding. By the story of his life and death, we are in awe of

how one so young could have achieved an attitude that most people will

never reach.