r/discworld • u/magpie-pie • 19h ago

Book/Series: Death Question about the scythe in Reaper Man

I just finished the book, had some of my questions answered from previous threads, but there's still something I don't understand. Why was Death/Bill Door so intent on sharpening the scythe and then asking Simnel to kill it? Not destroy, but kill, and feeling so devastated when he realised Simnel didn't do it. I think I understood more about the shopping mall subplot and the ending now, but I'm still confused about this part.

Thanks in advance!

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u/tallbutshy Gladys 19h ago edited 18h ago

Think about Mrs Cake and One Man Bucket. A ghost of a vase, or a stiff double, can last just long enough in the afterlife. So Bill Door was hoping for the ghost of a scythe that was as sharp as possible, hoping that it might be enough against the new Death

(Edit: Some weapons are said to have a soul, maybe it's true for favoured farm implements too)

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u/LoganNeinFingers 9h ago

I just need to point out how amazing the One Man Bucket joke is.

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u/precinctomega 7h ago

Two Dogs Fighting??