Originally Posted by
TinkerSpider
This may be a question of empathy. If a character revealed they did not die peacefully and unaware, but mentally suffering and horrified, most people with strong empathy would think that is terrible and it would haunt them. It also means Gwen was fully aware Peter was there and did not save her. Again, for people who have strong empathy, this would be horrifying new knowledge. This isn’t headcanon, it’s basic human psychology.
Peter may not have the strongest empathy, but he does have guilt in spades. I agree Slott did not pull on that thread, instead making Gwen’s and Peter’s conversation about how Gwen felt about Peter as she died (once more not centering her but rather Peter in Gwen’s own death) - but to me, that just underscores he does not write believable characters with believable human reactions.
Most people would tell you in moments of high stress in which you are under attack/threat of dying, you’re not thinking about your boyfriend’s secret identify even if you just learned it. You’d be thinking about how to get out of danger/save your life. Hierarchy of priorities.
But her thoughts are nearly all about Peter! Poor Gwen can’t even star in her own death. She continues to be just the weepy, horribly acted on but rarely active in her own right girlfriend. There is nothing knowing Gwen’s thoughts adds to the story, except to up her suffering and the tragedy porn even more.
Agree!