Last Words of the Living: An Analysis and Personal Reflection

“I want nothing but death.” –Jane Austen

Suffering of Addison’s disease, the famous author’s sister came to her deathbed and asked if she wanted anything. This was Austen’s response- she seemed to be in so much pain that she would rather have preferred death.

“I shall hear in heaven!” –Ludwig van Beethoven

Dying of pneumonia, the deaf composer exclaimed these words and breathed his last. It speaks of all humanity’s hopes of a life better in heaven- where we’ll have the things we never did and finally be happy.

“No use, I shall never be rid of this depression.” -Vincent van Gogh

These words were part of Van Gogh’s final testament that he left before shooting himself. It tells of his poignant struggle with depression that spanned throughout his life. He used art as an escape from this depression, and said so in his final note. Unfortunately, he felt the pain was inescapable, so he took his own life.

“I’m tired of fighting. I guess this thing is going to get me.” –Harry Houdini

The famous escape artist breathed his last as appendicitis took his life on Halloween. It is ironic to finally discover that all magicians and escape artists just can’t escape one thing- death.

“Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” -Karl Marx

Yet Marx himself actually had last words, and these words were it. Ironically, Marx kept his pride intact in the last seconds of his life while showing everyone that perhaps he regretted some things in this life- perhaps the fact that he didn’t do enough. We’ll never know of course, because this leader of the communist movement is dead.

“Wait a second.” -Madame de Pompadour

The irony within this statement is almost sad. When one first reads this, they probably assume she was about to say something else afterwards. But instead, she applied makeup, and without another word, she died. One can then assume that she was talking to God and telling him to wait for her to freshen up before he took her.

“…French-Canadian bean soup. I want to pay. Let them leave me alone.” -Dutch Schultz (Arthur Flegenheimer)

This mobster laid dying with a fever and a bullet lodged in his abdomen while rambling on about perceivable nothings. These are only his last three sentences. His complete and random last words can be seen here: http://www.socyberty.com/Crime/The-Infamous-Last-Words-of-the-Mobster-Dutch-Schultz.828055

“I’m losin’.” -Frank Sinatra

After years of swooning girls through his smooth voice, Old Blue Eyes realized his time in the limelight was up and prophetically said so before his time on Earth was up, too.

“Hi, Jules. It’s Brian. I’m on a plane and we’ve been hijacked, and it doesn’t look good. Hopefully, I’ll talk to you again, but if not, please have fun and live your life the best you can. Know that I love you, and no matter what, I’ll see you again someday.” –Brian Sweeney

Sweeney left this message on his wife’s answering machine on September 11th, 2001. He called from United Flight 175 minutes before it crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. It is a nice example of what we would probably all want to say to our loved ones if we had the chance to before we die. It’s heartbreaking, but leaves a message of hope and unity within all of our last moments.

“Don’t let it end like this. Tell them I said something.” -Pancho Villa

Consumed by a pride within his image, Villa knows of the views upon last words of leaders. They are usually exaggerated and important testaments to their lives and missions. So he wanted to go out with a bang, too, but it was unfortunate that he didn’t have any time to think of something to say before his enemies shot him.

Works Cited

Robinson, Ray. Famous Last Words. New York: Workman Publishing, 2003.

http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/dying.html