David Eagleman, in his book Sum: 40 Tales from the Afterlives, says: “There are three deaths. This first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.” In social psychology, terror management theory proposes a basic psychological conflict, believed to be unique to human beings, that results from having a desire to live but realizing that death is inevitable. This fear of mortality and annihilation creates such a profound, subconscious anxiety that affects humans’ behaviours and decisions throughout our lives. In order to manage this terror of death people turn to things which they feel will provide their life with meaning and …show more content…
He attempts to come to terms with life outside of wrestling, finding meaning in his life through relationships however this does not last, for his fear of being forgotten after death takes over. Randy returns to wrestling for one last fight, knowing that it is likely to be the death of him, in a last attempt to make an impact, hoping that he will continue to live in memory as the legendary wrestler he once was. Another way in which people cope with the fear of death, is by finding meaning and value in their life, making their time on this earth seem worthwhile. Like all humans, Randy cannot bear to think of his life as insignificant and unimportant. The way in which Randy seeks to find this meaning is through Stephanie. Although this was not successful, his intentions were to be the father that Stephanie never had and make amends for his absence in the past. The exploration of this idea is incredibly compelling as it coaxes the reader or viewer to question their existence, playing on ones feelings of fear, as we dread the idea that our life may be meaningless and that we will be