Final answer:
People face death in diverse ways, influenced by culture, history, and personal experiences. Societies have dealt with death from plagues to natural disasters and wars, with emotional reactions varying from denial to acceptance, as seen in Kübler-Ross's stages of grief. Public awareness of death can lead to societal changes and reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
People face the concept of death in various ways, often influenced by their cultural values, historical context, and personal experiences. One commonality is that many people find the idea of their own mortality challenging to accept. Throughout history, from historical plagues to natural disasters like the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, death has been a significant and often public event.
The ways in which societies and individuals cope with death have evolved over time. In earlier times, the risk of death was high at any life stage, making it more familiar and perhaps less feared, as indicated by the young man sitting at his great-grandmother's grave, showing the acknowledgment of death as a part of life.
However, massive fatalities due to earthquakes, wars, and other calamities often precipitate a complex set of reactions including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, as described by Kübler-Ross's stages of grief.
The 1934 earthquake, the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, and the epidemic mentioned for the year 1349 are examples of how large-scale deaths can impact societies, leading to various emotional reactions and sometimes even societal upheaval.
Additionally, the reference to the Great Kanto Earthquake reveals how fear and chaos can lead to rumors and targeted violence, in this case against Koreans. Similarly, the number of Americans who died in World War II illustrates the contrasting emotions of loss against a backdrop of conflict and the fight for democracy. William Shepherd's graphic description of the tragedy at a building where workers died hints at how public awareness of death can lead to reforms in safety and labor practices.
In summary, individuals and societies face the concept of death shaped by the circumstances of the time, cultural interpretations, and emotional reactions to loss.