I thought it was interesting how June played music for people who were dying. “I was really there to listen to June play the Cello. She played music for dying people, going to their homes and even to the hospital” (86).
For June being portrayed as a hard woman, I thought it was interesting that she played people into the afterlife. I wonder if being around death made her more somber or afraid. Maybe she was around people dying from being abused because of their skin and that helped her not liking Lily. Because she was white.
But I also thought that her being around death would make her realize how short life way, and she would marry Neil. But maybe it is only when death hits us personally that we pay attention.
I think it would be beautiful to die while being surrounded by music. If my family and close friends were there around me, I think that music playing me to Heaven would be perfect.
I think music in this story could also be another representation of escape, just like bees. For June to play for people while they were entering Heaven, or escaping from the evils of the world, represents a cleasing and purificaiton of the soul before they leave and go to a better place.
Tori, Speaking as a musician, music is an escape. You can get lost in it. Music has the ability to change moods and uplift the downhearted.
I think that June's seeming "hardness" was actually just a protective wall she'd put up. She had been hurt badly by being jilted by her intended. Even though she allowed Neil to get close, she was never going to put herself in that position of vunerability again.
Apparently Lily looked just like her mother. They knew when she arrived who she was. June was probably angry because she felt that August was putting them in danger. The times were pretty bad then, and having a white run-away could have gotten them put in jail or worse. I think that June was bleeding emotionally and that is why she acted the way she did. She'd lost everyone but August, and she wouldn't let Neil get close enough to hurt her. Her only real solice was her music. She'd lost her parents and a sister in death. Maybe playing for those who were dying was her way of touching those loved ones that had gone on.
I thought it was interesting how June played music for people who were dying. “I was really there to listen to June play the Cello. She played music for dying people, going to their homes and even to the hospital” (86).
ReplyDeleteFor June being portrayed as a hard woman, I thought it was interesting that she played people into the afterlife. I wonder if being around death made her more somber or afraid. Maybe she was around people dying from being abused because of their skin and that helped her not liking Lily. Because she was white.
But I also thought that her being around death would make her realize how short life way, and she would marry Neil. But maybe it is only when death hits us personally that we pay attention.
I think it would be beautiful to die while being surrounded by music. If my family and close friends were there around me, I think that music playing me to Heaven would be perfect.
I think music in this story could also be another representation of escape, just like bees. For June to play for people while they were entering Heaven, or escaping from the evils of the world, represents a cleasing and purificaiton of the soul before they leave and go to a better place.
ReplyDeleteTori,
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a musician, music is an escape. You can get lost in it. Music has the ability to change moods and uplift the downhearted.
I think that June's seeming "hardness" was actually just a protective wall she'd put up. She had been hurt badly by being jilted by her intended. Even though she allowed Neil to get close, she was never going to put herself in that position of vunerability again.
Apparently Lily looked just like her mother. They knew when she arrived who she was. June was probably angry because she felt that August was putting them in danger. The times were pretty bad then, and having a white run-away could have gotten them put in jail or worse. I think that June was bleeding emotionally and that is why she acted the way she did. She'd lost everyone but August, and she wouldn't let Neil get close enough to hurt her. Her only real solice was her music. She'd lost her parents and a sister in death. Maybe playing for those who were dying was her way of touching those loved ones that had gone on.