The Death of the Moth by Virginia Woolf

The Death of the Moth by Virginia Woolf

Taken up in English 1 class on January 18, 2012

The Death of the Moth is a dramatic description of how a moth.. well, dies. Virginia Woolf painstakingly provided a detailed encounter with a moth. She tells a story as if in poetic form because maybe she feels very emotional about the death of the moth. In this short story, she somehow relates the death of the moth to life.

Life is (after reading the short story) definitely beautiful - every part of it. How will live it is extraordinary but how we leave it is even more extraordinary. Every word Virginia Woolf has used to describe the death of the moth is actually describing life. 

The moth's flying in the start can symbolize birth. Birth is a simple yet breath taking event. It's the start of something new and the start of an incredible journey called life. Next, the moth's releasing of energy can symbolize the body of our lifetime. In this part, we dance, sing and just basically enjoy life - its ups and downs. Then, the settling of the moth on the window simply symbolizes how us men and women settle late in life. This time can be when we get married or just simply reach old age. Sometimes, settling in life can even lead to a new adventure. Lastly, the death of the moth obviously symbolizes death. Virginia Woolf describes death as simple and serene. I believe that she is right, because death will someday bring us true peace. 

One thing I learned from this short piece is to simply enjoy life and all it has to offer. Maybe some day, hopefully not soon, I will experience true peace in death. But, while I am still dancing around like the moth, I am here to make the most out of life.