Passage 3

Birth, marriage and death: these are the greatest s in human life. Many things, good and bad, can happen to us in our lives. (79) Yet there are three days which are usually marked by some kind of special ceremony: the day we are born; the day we get married and the day we die. These are the three main ’s in life. We only have a choice in the second of these: we can choose whether or not to marry. But we have no choice in birth and death. All human beings from the most primitive to the most sophisticated--are affected by these three s. The only thing that differs in each society is the way these s are celebrated. Yet all societies share common characteristics. Birth is a time of joy. The proud parents receive congratulations and presents on behalf of the new-born. Marriage is also a time of joy. The young couple go through a special wedding ceremony and receive presents to help them set up their home. (80) Death is a time of sorrow and is marked by a special ceremony and mourning. The date6 of all three s are usually remembered.

All human societies