Look Homeward, Angel · Chapter
Chapter XXXVI: The Morning After Ben's Death explained
In the early hours after Ben Gant's death, the family gathers in Eliza's kitchen, experiencing a mix of grief, relief, and tentative reconciliation.
What happens
In the early hours after Ben Gant's death, the family gathers in Eliza's kitchen, experiencing a mix of grief, relief, and tentative reconciliation. Eugene and Luke go out into the awakening town, encountering a paperboy and Mrs. Pert, before visiting Horse Hines's funeral parlor to select a casket and view Ben's body, which Eugene finds a hollow imitation of his brother.
Themes in this chapter
Loss, Innocence, and the Passage of Time
Ben's death marks a profound loss for the family, with Eugene reflecting on the passage of time and the end of innocence as he confronts mortality.
Family Conflict and Dysfunction
The Gant family shows moments of reconciliation and shared grief, but underlying tensions remain, as seen in Eliza's defensive reaction to Eugene's joke about her coffee.
The Power of Memory and the Past
Eugene's memories of Ben and his own past as a paper carrier surface, highlighting how the past shapes the present moment of loss.
Characters to notice
- Eugene Gant
Feels joy and exultation at life's renewal after Ben's death; goes with Luke to select a casket and view Ben's body, reflecting on the loss.
- Eliza Gant
Straightens Ben's limbs, cuts a lock of his hair, and plans the funeral with Horse Hines; shows grief and a desire for a proper burial.
- Helen Gant
Expresses relief that Ben's suffering is over and insists on a good funeral; weeps quietly with love and grief.
- Oliver Gant
Calls Eliza by name for the first time in thirty years, offers to pay for the funeral, and shows a rare moment of reconciliation.
- Luke Gant
Accompanies Eugene to the funeral parlor, selects a casket with Horse Hines, and grieves briefly over Ben's body.
- Horse Hines
The undertaker who guides Luke and Eugene in selecting a casket and shows them Ben's body, taking pride in his work.
Key passages
“Well, Ben's gone... I'm glad it's over. Poor old Ben! I never got to know him until these last few days. He was the best of the lot. Thank God, he's out of it now.”
Helen expresses relief that Ben's suffering has ended, acknowledging she only truly knew him in his final days and considering him the best of the family.
Reflects the family's mixed emotions of grief and relief after a prolonged death.
“Well, Eliza... you've had a hard life. If I'd acted different, we might have got along together. Let's try to make the most of what time's left. Nobody is blaming you. Taking it all in all, you've done pretty well.”
Oliver addresses Eliza by her first name for the first time in decades, offering a rare apology and acknowledgment of her struggles.
Signals a moment of reconciliation between the estranged parents.
“No, this is not Ben... No trace of him is left in this deserted shell. It bears no mark of him. Where has he gone? Is this his bright particular flesh, made in his image, given life by his unique gesture, by his one soul? No, he is gone from that bright flesh.”
Eugene realizes that the embalmed body before him is a hollow imitation, lacking the essence of his brother Ben.
Captures Eugene's existential reflection on death and the loss of identity.