Representing dying, representing class? Social distinction, aestheticisation and the performing self

Abstract

Seeking to examine the ‘middle-class normalisation of death’, this paper begins to explore the particular place of certain representations of dying within this process. It is divided into four parts. First, it introduces the Bourdieuvian orientation of the analysis. Second, the relevance of the related notions of an aestheticisation of class relations and the modern emphasis upon the performing self are critically outlined. Third, these ideas are critically applied to two classic sociological studies of dying: Sudnow’s Passing On, and Young and Cullen’s, A Good Death. Fourth, the analysis is theorised and summarised with further reference to the theoretical insights of Bourdieu.

Keywords:

• dying
• social distinction
• aestheticisation
• performing self
• sociology

Acknowledgements

I am most grateful to Jenny Hockey and Margaret Gibson for their comments upon different drafts of this paper. Many thanks are also due to the two anonymous referees.

Biographical Notes

Steve Conway teaches research methods, public health policy and inequality and health policy in the School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University. His research interests include ageing, bereavement, health inequality and public health approaches to palliative care. Most recently, his research examines the interplay between the politics of identity, social inequality, death, loss and care.