Returning to Earth-Week 7, Post A

Vocab:
-Quantitative (240): that is or may be estimated by quantity.
-Consternation (243): a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.

Figurative Language:
"My heart jumped at the idea that I had forgotten the wire transfer to K and Polly so I stopped at the bank..." (246) This quote is an example of personification. The phrase "my heart jumped" gives a humanlike reaction to this organ.

"I fell asleep on the table, my eyes opening now and then to see the snow on the barberry bushes forming thick, fluffy white hats." (252) This statement is an example of imagery describing the shape the snow makes on the bushes in Cynthia's yard.

"Our first hour was so basic in terms of grammar I felt as if I had been sitting in a dentist's chair." (262) This quote is an example of a similie describing how difficult it was for Cynthia to get through her first tutoring session with her new student.

Significant Quote:
"He [Coughlin] said, 'After all, the fact of death is the most brutal thing we humans are forced to accept,' but then the sun came out again and I told him that the day after the burial Herald had said, 'Mother, it can't be awful if it happens to every living thing.'" (253) I found this quote interesting because I believe that both men are correct in their thinking. I interpret Coughlin's statement to be correct if he his referring to the people who have to watch their loved ones pass or witness an actual death occur. In that sense, I agree that death is an extremely brutal thing to go through. On the other hand, I interpret Herald's statement as being aimed towards the people who have actually died. His outlook is that dying is not a horrible, horrible thing, but must be somewhat managable for the person dying since everybody goes through death at one point. As far as my interpretations of these statements go, both men are correct.

Theme:
The theme that seems to be present in this passage is healthy grieving. There are clear ways to acheive healthy grieving, and one may not realize that simply getting on with their life may not be as healthy as one thinks.