Teddy Mortality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Section.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"But is it true, or isn't it, that you informed the whole Leidekker examining bunch […] when and where and how they would eventually die? […]

"No, it is not true," Teddy said with emphasis. "I told them places, and times, when they should be very, very careful. […] But I didn't say anything like that. I didn't say anything was inevitable, that way." (5.2-3)

Ah – now we start to suspect that Teddy's cryptic diary entry was in fact referring to death, and probably Teddy's own.

Quote #8

I mean I knew that even though they teach Religion and Philosophy and all, they're still pretty afraid to die." Teddy sat, or reclined, in silence for a minute. "It's so silly," he said. "All you do is get the heck out of your body when you die. My gosh, everybody's done it thousands and thousands of times. Just because they don't remember it doesn't mean they haven't done it. It's so silly." (5.7)

Teddy is not only speaking to Nicholson, but is also advising his readers as to how to react to the story's ending.