Me Before You Mortality

We're not going to mince words, folks: Me Before You revolves around Will Traynor's desire to commit assisted suicide. After being paralyzed from the neck down by a motorcycle accident two years prior, this former business executive and extreme sports enthusiast is having trouble adjusting to his new life. He can't do the things he loves. He can't go where he wants to go. He can't be independent.

Faced with this grief, Will decides to end his life on his own terms, which is a decision that's met with confusion and anger by the people closest to him. This is tough concept to wrap your mind around—and one fraught with controversy—but the novel handles it with a deft touch befitting such a hot-button issue.

Questions About Mortality

1. Is assisted suicide ethical? Explain your answer.
2. Why does Camilla agree to help Will achieve his plan? Are her actions immoral?
3. Why does Lou fail to convince Will that life is worth living?
4. How will Will's death affect Lou in the long term? Will it have a net positive or negative impact?

Chew on This

Assisted suicide is ethical in certain circumstances when a severe medical condition without hope for recovery is involved, such as with Will.

Assisted suicide is never ethical because it is fundamentally wrong to end someone's life.