Can a man live without hope?
I was in India recently researching my next novel FEVER COAST.
While I was there, I read the sad news that Robin Williams had taken his life.
Suicide always asks searching questions of us. When so many in hospitals, in wars, fight for life, why would someone else choose to die?
Understand - this is not about judgement, on him or anyone else.
God knows there have been times when I’d thought I’d had enough, but frankly I would never have the guts to pull the trigger.
Most of us can never imagine the depths of despair and darkness someone must feel to call time on their journey here.
My own life has been touched by suicide too closely to ever feel anything other than immense sadness; for him, for his wife and kids, for all who loved him and were left behind.
But my point is this: the same day that I read the news, I walked out of my Chennai hotel and right outside there was a beggar sorting through a pile of garbage in the street.
He had nothing but the dhoti he stood up in. His prospects, to say the least, are slight.
But he’s there looking for something to eat or to sell. He has hope. He has the strength and endeavor to live another day. Why?
Not only does he not live in Hollywood, he has none of the things the average movie-goer takes for granted; running water, food, a house.
So where does the drive to live come from? If there is a choice - and news that day made it clear that there is - then why did he choose to live when Robin didn’t?
I discussed the conundrum with my mate Craigie. We came up with two possible answers.
But I’d be interested in hearing yours.
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Thought provoking post. I have no idea why some people lose all hope, even when they appear to have such good lives. So sad for them and for their loved ones.
I don’t feel that people necessarily want to die, but they want the pain and suffering to end. The problem is that in the midst of a fit of despair, that distinction can be difficult to sort out, and all that you can see is unending pain with no solution. They don’t live without hope, but they lose hope in particular moments and that makes it easier to pull the trigger.
I believe the two cases are not comparable. We live in a very complex world. It is difficult to determine people’s motivations and how they view their existence. However, I do think not enough is being done to understand and treat mental illnesses especially in cases where the victim is also doing substance abuse. When under the effects the world and your existence is seen under a totally different light. There are no values or consciousness that prevail in those critical moments and all you want is peace and that the pain end.
I don’t believe anyone can understand a person choosing something as final as ending their existence, I also believe we will never understand how we can view someone as a beggar and then be awestruck that the person that we have labeled a beggar chooses to go on while the person who seemingly has everything chooses to end their existence, I believe that a person can exist without hope (we see it in inner cities all the time). I believe it is when faith is shaken that despair can creep in and overtake us. I believe that it is incumbent on those,of us who take the time to blog about those matters to be committed to making a difference in the lives of those who have lost either hope or faith. Thank you Mr. Falcon for asking such a thought provoking question.