In Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking," the author reflects on the pervasive belief that individuals can control death or avoid it altogether. This notion instills a sense of hope but also suggests blame if one fails to escape mortality. Didion’s musings reveal how society often promotes the idea that we hold the power over our own destinies regarding life and death.

This perspective creates a burden on individuals, making them feel responsible for the inevitability of death. Didion's insights expose the emotional struggle of grappling with loss while confronting societal expectations regarding control and accountability. Ultimately, her reflections challenge readers to reconsider their relationship with the concept of mortality.