Summary

February 11 1910

Ursula’s birthday again. This time Mrs. Haddock, the midwife, is shown to be drinking rum in the pub again because of the snow. Thus the cycle begins again.

Analysis

February 11 1910

This ending to the book may seem abrupt to many readers as it seems such a nonsensical chapter to end on. The point, however, is this….there is never an ending…just a pause between moments. Life and Death, Death and Life, are nonlinear, and like a tablet used, wiped, and reused again, and again, it continues without end.

Discussion Question 1

Why would the author choose to end the book this way?

Discussion Question 2

What is the author saying about the nature of time?

Discussion Question 3

What is the author suggesting about life and death?

Vocabulary

sipped, refuge, snug, necessity, convivial, gleamed, rowdier, accompaniment, polished, singsong, parachute, uncomplicated