Final answer:
John Donne's 'Meditation 17' aims to reflect on life's brevity using the central image of a tolling bell to highlight the interconnectedness of humanity and to remind us of our shared mortality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aim of “Meditation 17” by John Donne is the reflection on the brevity of life, with the central image being the tolling bell. The purpose of this work is to illustrate the interconnectedness of humanity. Donne uses the metaphor of a bell to convey the idea that each person's death is significant and affects everyone, for “no man is an island.” When the bell tolls, it signifies the passing of a soul, which is a moment for reflection and a reminder of our own mortality. This meditation is part of Donne's Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, which is a series of reflections written as Donne recovered from a serious illness. The overarching theme is that individuals are part of a larger whole, a community, and should not think of themselves as completely separate or autonomous. The meditation serves both as a memento mori and a call to empathy among all people.