Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

Whether through fear of the emotional depths or because of a drying up of the sluices of religious intensity, the American avoids dwelling on death or even coming to terms with it: he finds it morbid and recoils from it, surrounding it with word avoidance (Americans never die, but "pass away") and various taboos of speech and practice. A "funeral parlor" is decorated to look like a bank; everything in a funeral ceremony is done in hushed tones, as if it were something furtive, to be concealed from the world; there is so much emphasis on being dignified that the ceremony often loses its quality of dignity.

What does the underlined sentence mean?

Thanks for your constant help!

Jason

[IanT]

It suggests that real dignity is something deeper and more personal, which cannot be expressed in a typical funeral because everyone is too busy being socially dignified, i.e. trying not to express anything real or difficult or show emotions that might make others feel awkward.

Hope helps,
Ian
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