In Joan Didion's "Slouching Towards Bethlehem," the author emphasizes the importance of solidarity and responsibility within human relationships. She reflects on the cultural and social fabric that binds individuals, highlighting the unspoken commitment to look out for one another, especially in times of crisis or loss. This promise implies a deep sense of loyalty and compassion that should transcend individual circumstances, ensuring that no one is left behind during difficult times.

Didion’s poignant observation underscores the moral obligation to honor and remember those we have lost. By stating that we should not abandon our dead to the coyotes, she poetically illustrates the need to acknowledge and retrieve our casualties, both literally and metaphorically. This calls attention to the value of memory and the shared human experience, where the act of remembrance becomes an essential part of maintaining connections within a community.