Dave's 'death' in AHWOSG

From pages 304 to 309, Dave describes a moment in time when he thinks he is dying (he has a kidney stone).

Using integrated literary and linguistic approaches, explore the ways Eggers presents death and illness in this scene. What insight do we get to his character? How does the language link to the key themes of the book? How does the language link to the context of the book?

Here are some language points to consider:

Discourse and Structure:

• use of spoken language features
• use of short paragraphs
• how Eggers digresses
• use of hyphens
• use of bathos
• use of dialogue - free direct speech
• use of italics

Lexis and Semantics:

• use of dynamic verbs
• use of expletives 
• use of allusion and imagery
• use of capitalisation

Grammar:

• use of interrrogatives / declaratives / exclamatory sentences
• use of minor sentences
• use of modal verbs
• use of past and present tense

Here are some contextual and thematic points to consider:

AIDS, death, illness, guilt, pain, sex, desire, family, writing, humour