Death and Grief

Death impacts Cohen the Narrator's life multiple times in the novel and helps shape the lives of people left living. The first death that leaves a lasting impression on him is that of his father, David Cohen. His father dies when Cohen the Narrator is a child after a long battle with terminal illness. His father fought through the illness as long as he could because he did not want to leave Moms behind. His father ended up having to wear adult diapers due to his illness, which symbolically reverted him toward infancy and also brought him closer to death.

The second death that takes hold of Cohen the Narrator's life is that of Aaron's sister Miriam. Miriam is Cohen the Narrator's first reader and biggest supporter. Losing her in the 9/11 attacks devastates both him and Aaron (to the point that Aaron disappears into...