Writing the Death of a Spouse

Session Submission Type: Paper Session

Abstract

In this panel discussion, Carolyn Ellis, Tom Frentz, and Nick Trujillo will discuss writing about the death of their spouses. They will read short excerpts from their work and then discuss with the audience issues and ethics of writing about intimate others. For example, they will discuss how writing helps one understand and cope with the past to then imagine a future, relational choices a surviving spouse has and how the lost person gets represented, and choices one makes in writing and including the dead spouse’s voice.

Sub Unit

• End of Life Series

Cosponsor

• Ethnography Division

Chair

• Laurel Richardson, The Ohio State University-Sociology

Respondent

• Carolyn S. Ellis, Univ of South Florida

• Thomas S. Frentz, Univ of Arkansas, Fayetteville

• Nick L. Trujillo, California State Univ, Sacramento

Session Organizer

• Wren Colker, Univ of South Florida