Allusions and References
Ali Smith includes several quotes and short poems at the start of the book. These are significant and supportive to the themes present in the novel.
- Muriel Spark says “remember you must die” (in her 1959 novel Memento Mori) meaning people should appreciate life to its full potential because it will one day end. This quote wonderfully ties into the theme about the passage of time. It is also important because it is reminiscent of Smith’s recurrent “remember you must live”.
- William Blake describes “Energy” as being “eternal delight”. Ghosts are often thought to be the body’s energy which is never eliminated. A ghost, or any form of life after death, is thus viewed as eternally delightful because they will persist forever.
- Edwin Muir’s poem that speaks about the “unfriendly universe” is significant because it also ties into the theme of the passage of time. It describes "the miracle” as being the point where people are able to let go.
Smith also makes reference to Todd Solondz's 1998 film Happiness, a controversial film which deals with sexuality and isolation and their difficult relationship to each other.
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