ISP – The Middle Passages Essay Example

Uncle Stash and Aunt Lovey, likening them to conjoined twins despite their differences in interests, language, and culture. Even with their imperfect union, they shared an essential bond that should never have been broken. Unfortunately, Aunt Lovey passed away in a car accident, leaving Uncle Stash feeling empty and lost. While Rose believes he could have willed himself to die while kissing his wife's cheek, he ultimately passed away a week later after much suffering. Additionally, the connection between the girls is further emphasized through important plot elements.

Rose and Ruby, both aged thirty, anticipate their demise due to Rose's swelled brain vein which could rupture anytime. Despite the tragic circumstance, the sisters' bond is so strong that Ruby plans to administer Tatranax to end her life when Rose's vein bursts, allowing her to die with her beloved sibling. Ruby doesn't blame Rose for shortening her lifespan; instead, she cherishes their time together on Earth. Rose reciprocates this love and devotion, evident from the book's start where she, as the fictional author, writes "I'd live a thousand lives as me, to be loved so exponentially." However, on the last page, she amends it by stating "One more change I might make [to the beginning of the book] is to say that I wouldn't live a thousand lives but a million to infinity to live the life I've lived as me."

Ruby subscribes to the idea of reincarnation and expressing her belief, she says; "Rose appears in all my memories and dreams related to past lives."

The girls face tough challenges as they approach their impending deaths, but they go through them united and their sisterly bond strengthens

through the difficulties. They learn to accept and deal with life and death with each other's assistance. Their connection is exceptional yet typical since all human beings must connect to continue living. Lori Lansens pens a moving story about physical and emotional connections, one so powerful that it can surpass mortality itself.