Mortality can best be defined as the quality and state of being mortal; being susceptible to death. So how does Mortality form the very basis of Attwood’s “The Age of Lead”? In this story, we are very often presented with the re-occurring motif of one’s own mortality. To be even more specific, in this story we can see a reflection of how we all deliberately avoid this very basic aspect of our own lives- our own mortality. This motif is evident in many parts of the story, but in particular is quite evident in the following segments of the story. Firstly, we have the protagonists main focus of interest, the documentary on the life and death of John Torrington. This documentary in its self is a very literal presentation of the theme of mortality. We also have a progression of events that are covered in the protagonists life. Much like one’s own life, these events are all based around mortality. Finally, we have the climax of the story, that is the protagonists coming to terms with the nature of mortality. So now, let’s begin to focus on the first aspect of mortality in this story, John Torrington.

From the first paragraphs of this story, we are subjected to the concept of mortality. We are immediately brought into the world of John Torrington and the failed Franklin Expedition. The atmosphere of the story is thick with the concept of death and mortality. We are given very vivid descriptions of mortality and death. One such example is how the body of John Torrington is described to us. The use of various metaphors serve to further enhance this description of death and despair. Phrases such as,”…like a gravy stain on linen, instead of pink, but everything is still there.” and,“ He even has eye balls, but they aren’t white but the light brown of milky tea.”3 serve that very purpose. What those two particular examples do is paint us a very vivid