Today's coined word: Literothanatophobia

[dianeduane]

Or, "The fear of death in literature."

A British book retailer plans to set up a counseling hotline for all heartbroken fans of Harry Potter, in case he dies in the much awaited next book.

As a former psychiatric professional, I can kind of see the point.  ...But I do start wondering, sometimes... Are human beings actually less robust, more fragile, than they used to be -- or are we just being encouraged to believe we are? 

And I remember clearly the resilience and fortitude of my younger patients as compared to the so-called "adults". The kids were endlessly more pragmatic and better at handling pain than the grownups. Any bets on the percentage of over-eighteens who wind up being counseled, as opposed to the under-eighteens?...

Comments

[ailbhe]

If the child understands that it *means* death, not coming back any more, then no, I don't think it's harmful. But often they don't. Children's books deal with death - Babar is the most upsetting one I've seen aimed at 2-3 year olds - and in general the word used is "dead." The permanence and reality still need explanation, of course, but the basics are clear.