It was not death or dying that frightened him, but the unexpectedness of both. In sorting it all out, he hit on the notion that if one day a year were devoted to it, everybody could get it out of the way and the rest of the year would be safe and free. In this manner he instituted National Suicide Day.
In the book "Sula" by Toni Morrison, the protagonist grapples with the fear of death, not because of dying itself, but due to its unpredictability. This contemplation leads him to a unique solution: designating a specific day each year for people to confront and deal with the concept of death openly. By doing this, he believes that society can eliminate the anxiety surrounding it, allowing everyone to live the rest of the year without the burden of death looming over them.
His idea culminates in the establishment of a fictional holiday called National Suicide Day. This day serves as a means for society to collectively face the reality of mortality. Through this narrative, Morrison explores complex themes of existence, mortality, and the human condition, ultimately proposing that confronting death can liberate individuals from its constant shadow.
