Death and Aging

As death and old age are intrinsically linked in modern society, Offill brings these two themes together to speak to how one can only truly live once they accept death. From the very beginning of the novel, it is clear that one of Lizzie’s many anxieties is that of growing old. While Lizzie attends Margot’s meditation classes, she learns a couple of breathing exercises. In one of them, she recites, “Breathing out, I know that I cannot escape old age” (55). This is worded in a way to aid her in coming to terms with her fear of aging. Following that, she recites, “Breathing out, I know that I cannot escape dying” (55). This demonstrates that Lizzie directly associates old age with death.

Because of Lizzie’s intense fear of dying, she often forgets how to enjoy living. As Lizzie herself puts it, her...