"Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel explores themes of power, memory, and the legacy of the deceased. The question, "What for do we nail down the dead?" suggests a reflection on how society memorializes those who have passed, highlighting the human desire to preserve history and seek connection with the past.

The narrative delves into the complexities of life during the tumultuous Tudor era, particularly focusing on Thomas Cromwell’s rise to influence. This interrogation of legacy not only pertains to historical figures but also to how individuals grapple with their own mortality and the remnants they leave behind.