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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor I am writing in regard to “Knowing When to Say Goodbye,” by Barron H. Lerner ( Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 25 (4), Winter, 1995, pp. 508–518), the response by John McIntosh, and Arnold Bennett's “The Idiot,” described as my response to Dr. Lerner's story. That is true but incomplete. It was not my intention to have it published with no explanation as to why, except that I chose it. Arnold Bennett was an eminent novelist and playwright in England during the early 20th century. He wrote “The Idiot” in 1916, some 80 years ago, perhaps the first story ever written on assisted suicide. It is beautifully written, powerfully presenting the irrationality and absence of understanding that often accompanies such help. That is why I saw it as an eloquent response to “Knowing When to Say Goodbye.” As a commentary, “The Idiot” had to be placed immediately after Dr. Lerner's story. John McIntosh's contribution should have been placed after, with an opportunity for him to comment on both pieces. Incidentally, John's critique was thoughtful and beautifully done. This letter ends with a paraphrase of T. S. Elliot, “for in the end is our beginning,” (or something like that). Beginnings, such as a policy of including fiction, requires a careful choice of the best it is possible to present. I hope this policy continues. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior Wiley

Letter to the Editor

Richman, Joseph
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior , Volume 26 (3) – Sep 1, 1996
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Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
1996 The American Association for Suicidology
ISSN
0363-0234
eISSN
1943-278X
DOI
10.1111/j.1943-278X.1996.tb00619.x
Publisher site
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Abstract

I am writing in regard to “Knowing When to Say Goodbye,” by Barron H. Lerner ( Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 25 (4), Winter, 1995, pp. 508–518), the response by John McIntosh, and Arnold Bennett's “The Idiot,” described as my response to Dr. Lerner's story. That is true but incomplete. It was not my intention to have it published with no explanation as to why, except that I chose it. Arnold Bennett was an eminent novelist and playwright in England during the early 20th century. He wrote “The Idiot” in 1916, some 80 years ago, perhaps the first story ever written on assisted suicide. It is beautifully written, powerfully presenting the irrationality and absence of understanding that often accompanies such help. That is why I saw it as an eloquent response to “Knowing When to Say Goodbye.” As a commentary, “The Idiot” had to be placed immediately after Dr. Lerner's story. John McIntosh's contribution should have been placed after, with an opportunity for him to comment on both pieces. Incidentally, John's critique was thoughtful and beautifully done. This letter ends with a paraphrase of T. S. Elliot, “for in the end is our beginning,” (or something like that). Beginnings, such as a policy of including fiction, requires a careful choice of the best it is possible to present. I hope this policy continues.

Journal

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior – Wiley

Published: Sep 1, 1996

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