"Komm wir gehen heim sterben."

The Literary Depiction of End-of-Life Care in Mellita Breznik's "Mutter. Chronik eines Abschieds (“Mother. Chronicle of a Farewell”)

Abstract

Melitta Breznik has been dealing with dying and death in literature since her first novel. Her other literary publications are also evidence of her engagement with these topics. Her literary approach to mental and somatic illnesses as well as death can be described as a desideratum of her experiences as a doctor. They are also an attempt to come to terms with and reconstruct one’s own family history through autofiction. In her sixth story Mutter. Chronik eines Abschieds (2020; Mother. Chronicle of a Farewell), she addresses the topic of end-of-life care. The protagonist, who is also a doctor and has previously only encountered death from a professional perspective, accepts her terminally ill mother’s wish to care for her in her home until her death. It quickly becomes clear that the demands placed on the protagonist in this palliative care are completely different to those in hospital.

This article focuses on Breznik’s literary portrayal of end-of-life care in her most recently published story. It analyses the multi-perspective narrative style and the narrative structure. Topics such as care work, spatial death settings and writing as self-care are also addressed. In addition, the narrative is categorised within Breznik’s oeuvre as a whole. Ultimately, the analysis is intended to contribute to viewing Breznik’s thanatography as a successful attempt to authentically describe the passing of a loved one without omitting unpleasant things, but at the same time respecting the dignity of the deceased.