Plain and simple, it means not having to die. The fear and the enigma of death is one of the most ancient and persisting human obsessions, that has been the subject of countless mythological stories and written pieces of literature.
In classic Greek and Roman literature, gods were immortal by definition. But there is also an interesting story about Cumaean Sybil, a priestess who was pursued by Apollo. When he promised to grant her one wish if she would yield to him, she asked to live eternally. But then she changed her mind and refused Apollo, who left her to decay alive, as she didn't ask for eternal youth.
In contemporary literature, there are numerous examples of fascination with the so-called "undead" - vampires, aliens, and other uncanny creatures.
Answer:
An epidemic of fever sweeps through the streets of 1793 Philadelphia in this novel from Laurie Halse Anderson where "the plot rages like the epidemic itself" (The New York Times Book Review).
During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.
Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.
When doing something like this, some find it useful to annotate the text by putting in notes and explanations of what is being said.
(Like pastors at a church when giving the message, or a comedian needing to remember some little things)
It basically just helps the reader not forget side notes or little things that can make the others either more entertained or more helpful.
