Odour of Chrysanthemums Death Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

She was grateful to death, which restored the truth. And she knew she was not dead. (2.129)

Although Elizabeth should probably be disturbed by these epiphanies about how she is alone and didn't really know her husband, Lawrence indicates here that she is grateful for having the wool pulled off her eyes. Okay, we guess she's a cup-half-full sort of person?

Quote #8

And all the while her heart was bursting with grief and pity for him. What had he suffered? What stretch of horror for this helpless man! (2.130)

Walt's death seems to have made Elizabeth feel uber guilty about their relationship, and now she has a lot more sympathy for him and his perspective. Sorry, homegirl, it's just too little, too late.

Quote #9

At last it was finished. They covered him with a sheet and left him lying, with his face bound. And she fastened the door of the little parlour, lest the children should see what was lying there. (2.134)

After Elizabeth and her mother-in-law have finished bathing, drying, and dressing the body, they leave him there. Elizabeth has been trying to hold off telling the kids what was happening, even lying and saying that he had come home in order to get them back to sleep when the commotion of delivering the body woke them.