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Jodi PicoultA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The central conflict of Mercy is the case and trial of Jamie MacDonald, who confesses to killing his terminally ill wife, Maggie. Although the defense presents an insanity plea, and the prosecution asks for the terms “mercy” and “mercy killing” to be banned throughout the trial, it is clear that this is what Maggie’s death was. However, the case is ultimately argued along the lines of whether the circumstances surrounding Maggie’s condition are important or not when judging Jamie’s actions, and the book explores the topic of euthanasia.
Euthanasia is defined as “the practice of ending the life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering” (“Euthanasia.” University of Missouri School of Medicine). The word is derived from the Greek terms “eu” (good) and “thanatos” (death), indicating the experience of a comfortable death for a patient who is terminally ill and thus experiencing a lesser quality of life. There are nuances to understanding euthanasia, including distinctions related to the manner of ending a life: Active euthanasia, such as injecting a lethal drug, or passive euthanasia, such withholding or withdrawing life support, are categorically different. Similarly, voluntary, involuntary, and non-voluntary euthanasia distinguish between whether euthanasia was administered with the patient’s consent or not.
By Jodi Picoult
A Spark of Light
A Spark of Light
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Between the Lines
Between the Lines
Jodi Picoult, Samantha van Leer
By Any Other Name
By Any Other Name
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Handle With Care
Handle With Care
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House Rules
House Rules
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Leaving Time
Leaving Time
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Mad Honey
Mad Honey
Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
My Sister's Keeper
My Sister's Keeper
Jodi Picoult
Nineteen Minutes
Nineteen Minutes
Jodi Picoult
Plain Truth
Plain Truth
Jodi Picoult
Salem Falls
Salem Falls
Jodi Picoult
Small Great Things
Small Great Things
Jodi Picoult
The Book of Two Ways
The Book of Two Ways
Jodi Picoult
The Pact
The Pact
Jodi Picoult
The Storyteller
The Storyteller
Jodi Picoult
The Tenth Circle
The Tenth Circle
Jodi Picoult
Vanishing Acts
Vanishing Acts
Jodi Picoult
Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here
Jodi Picoult