The Lovely Bones Group

Question:

sunshine17
sunshine17
Student
High School - 12th Grade

How would you describe Susie's heaven in the first two chapters of The Lovely Bones?

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Posted by sunshine17 on Tuesday July 28, 2009 at 6:07 PM and tagged with characterization, description, modern, sebold, susie's heaven, the lovely bones.

Answers:

  1. ms-charleston-yawp
    ms-charleston-yawp Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Susie Salmon's heaven is an amalgamation of her own dreams and wishes as told by Alice Sebold.  It is in no way the "traditional" image of heaven (with angels, pearly gates, and clouds).  Susie's heaven is very personal and specific to the charcter.  We learn this gradually, as Susie herself at first thinks heaven looks the same for everyone when, in fact, she learns after a while that everyone's heaven is different (because each person has different dreams, desires, and wishes).  Very simply, Susie's heaven contains her family, her boyfriend, the detective assigned to investigate Susie's murder, and her "intake counselor" named Franny.  Furthermore, Susie's heaven is forever expanding as she explores it deeper, meets more people, and has more heavenly experiences.  For example, Susie meets Holly, her roommate, on the third day.   Susie still wishes she could grow up in the real world, but (thanks to Franny) she become content to watch what happens on earth from above. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/lovely-bones/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/lovely-bones/summary-analysis-prefa...

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    Posted by ms-charleston-yawp on Thursday July 30, 2009 at 8:45 AM