Quote by Christopher Hitchens
Many writers, especially male ones, have told us that it is the decease of the father which opens the prospect of one's own end, and affords an unobstructed view of the undug but awaiting grave that says 'you're next.' Unfilial as this may seem, that was not at all so in my own case. It was only when I watched Alexander [my own son] being born that I knew at once that my own funeral director had very suddenly, but quite unmistakably, stepped onto the stage. I was surprised by how calmly I took this, but also by how reluctant I was to mention it to my male contemporaries.
Summary
In this quote, the speaker challenges conventionality by suggesting that it is not the death of one's father, but the birth of one's own child that reminds them of their own mortality. The speaker, reflecting on the birth of their son Alexander, realizes that with this event comes the realization that they have also taken on the role of a future funeral-goer. Rather unexpectedly, the speaker feels a sense of acceptance and calmness about this revelation. However, the speaker also acknowledges a hesitance to discuss this emotional experience with their male peers, potentially due to societal expectations or beliefs regarding traditional masculine ideals.
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