It's Rarely Just Illness

Thomas Foster points out that illness is used in literature all the time because it is present in life all the time. He also points out "certain principles governing the use of disease in works of literature." One book that I recall that has a main character die of a disease is A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (I use him a lot, I know). The principles are listed below.

1. Not all diseases are created equal.
The disease that plagues this character is cancer. Cancer is the sort of disease that catches every one's attention. Sure, there are treatments for some types of cancer, but when you hear someone mutter the word cancer, you generally get scared. Cancer is a disease that is often used in literary works because it is so prominent in the real world.

2. It should be picturesque.
There is a certain image that pops in every one's head that is associated with cancer. But, Jamie is different because she doesn't use chemotherapy, so she is not bald. She does still have the weak strength that is present in all cancer patients. She is pale and bruising, but her skin looks sort of angelic and beautiful.

3. It should be mysterious in origin.
Today cancer is much more understood than it was when it first appeared, but it is still quite mysterious. Most cancers do not have cures, there are treatments for almost all cancers, but they are almost as brutal as the disease itself.

4. It should have strong symbolic or metaphorical possibilities.
People who are battling cancer are fighting an internal war. While Jamie is fighting this internal war, Landon, Jamie's boyfriend, is fighting a battle within himself. He is trying to become a better person for Jamie because she is the greatest person he has ever known. He puts up with harsh comments and dirty looks from his old friends because he has ditched them to be with Jamie.

Jamie's disease is accepted with the theme of this book because the theme is "love conquers all." Even though Jamie is dying at such a young age, Landon still shows her a great life. Jamie is a preacher's kid and is a very devoted Christian, and throughout Jamie's struggle Landon also becomes a Christian. Even though Jamie is dying and their life together is ending, they still have hope that they will get to complete their life together in Heaven.