Thought for the Week: Dead or alive?

Peggy Heeks reflects on the ambiguity between life and death

by Peggy Heeks 1st November 2013

Have you ever played ‘Dead or Alive’? I used to as a girl and still remember the game’s excitement. You jumped up and wound your legs round the waist of a stalwart adult, who swung you close to the ground. ‘Under the water, under the sea: catching fishes for my tea. Dead or Alive?’ I always chose ‘Alive’ and was swung high in triumph. It was so simple in those days. One was either dead or alive. Now I’m less sure.