Death has been portrayed in many ways in literature, from a dark mysterious stalker to a celebration of eternal life. Every person has their own view of death, which means that death has no boundaries as to what form it takes. Some of the more widely used views are as a feared being, a humorous clown, and as a continuance of life.
             In the short story "Idiots First"(1223) death is portrayed as an evil stalker, who tries to keep the main character "Mendell" from getting his son to a family member, to take care of him, before he dies. Ginzburg (Death) takes the form of many characters in the story, all of which hinder "Mendell" from completing his task. In the end of the story "Ginzburg" has "Mendell" at his mercy, at the gate to the train, and looks into the eye's of Mendell and can see the fear he has of not being able to take care of his son. Death takes pity on Mendell and allows him to put his son on the train. In "Appointment in Samara" the servant is sent to the market, while at the market, he sees death. When the servant returns to his master he tells him that he has seen death and that he must leave before death comes for him. The servant fearing for his life leaves for Samara. The master goes to the market place and also sees death and asks him about his servant. Death tells him that he has nothing to worry about that his servant is not to die here but in Samara. The servant fearing that he will die runs straight to his death.
             Humor and death are an odd combination, and to some people it may seam morbid. In some context death has a humorous side. A good example of this is in Woody Allen's, Death Knocks (1305). Death is viewed as a clumsy little man, who is out of shape, and is not very serious about his work. Nat the main character in the play tries to control his fate, and coaxes death into a game of Gin Rummy, and if he wins he gets an extension on his life. When Nat wins the game and all of the mon
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