The Book of Love
The Book of Bowie 4
by Link, KellyThe chapter opens with a reflection on a particular song deeply familiar to both Anabin and Bogomil, who frequently sings it in his realm. Bowie, having heard this song many times—whether from Bogomil’s voice or Anabin’s piano—recognizes its significance and presence. This song, more than just a melody, symbolizes a connection across beings and experiences, an enduring thread woven through their lives. Its repetition and persistence hint at a deeper meaning beyond mere sound, serving as a symbolic and emotional anchor within the narrative.
Bowie recalls a poignant memory triggered by Susannah’s visit to her mother, where the tradition of lullabies sung to infants surfaces. He imagines a future where the infants in the NICU, whether surviving or not, carry the imprint of this song within their dreams. By embedding the song into their subconscious, Bowie ensures it becomes an invisible legacy, passed down through generations, replicating itself through the natural cycle of life and memory. This notion underscores the theme of music as a transcendent force—songs as doors that open to other realms of understanding and existence.
The dialogue between Bowie and Anabin reveals contrasting experiences of life and identity. Anabin acknowledges the limits of what he could bestow upon Bowie compared to others, noting Bowie’s unique existence without a past life or companion. Bowie, in turn, expresses a transformed self-awareness, distancing himself from his former identity and accepting his evolution. Their exchange touches on themes of self-knowledge, transformation, and the complex interplay between past and present selves, highlighting Bowie’s journey toward self-definition amid uncertainty and change.
The chapter closes with a somber reflection on loss and resilience. Anabin comments on Avelot’s difficult life and limited self-knowledge before her death, while Bowie asserts that his own existence transcends her demise and the threat posed by Thomas. He suggests that although parts of Avelot and Kristofer remain within him, his survival and identity are distinct and persistent. Anabin’s remark about the tenacity of certain individuals encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of endurance, identity, and the enduring impact of those who refuse to be erased.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the song that Bowie gives to Anabin, and how does it affect the infants in the NICU?
Answer:
The song Bowie gives to Anabin holds deep symbolic and emotional significance. It is a song known intimately by Bogomil and Anabin, representing a connection between realms and memories. Bowie implants this song into the dreams of every infant in the NICU, ensuring it becomes an unconscious part of their lives. This act symbolizes the transmission of culture, memory, and comfort across generations, even to those who may not survive or fully grow. The song becomes a legacy that will replicate itself as those infants, in the future, may sing it to their own children, emphasizing themes of continuity, hope, and the enduring power of music as a door to connection and survival.2. How does the dialogue between Bowie and Anabin explore the themes of identity and self-knowledge?
Answer:
The conversation between Bowie and Anabin delves deeply into the complexity of identity and self-awareness. Anabin notes that he could not give Bowie a companion because Bowie did not know himself, highlighting the idea that self-knowledge is fundamental to forming meaningful relationships. Bowie reflects on his transformation, acknowledging that he no longer wishes to be the person he once was, indicating growth and change. The reference to Avelot’s limited self-knowledge before death and Bowie’s connection to her and Kristofer further underscores the fragmented and evolving nature of identity. The exchange suggests that understanding oneself is both challenging and essential for personal evolution and survival.3. In what ways does the chapter suggest that songs function as “doors,” and what might this metaphor imply about the role of music?
Answer:
The chapter explicitly states, “Songs are doors, too,” using a metaphor that suggests songs serve as gateways to other realms of experience, memory, and connection. This metaphor implies that music can open pathways to emotions, shared histories, and unconscious knowledge, much like doors lead to new spaces. In the context of the chapter, the song connects different characters and generations, acting as a bridge between life and death, memory and identity. It highlights music’s power to transcend time and space, offering comfort, continuity, and a means of communication beyond words.4. Analyze the statement by Anabin: “I have set a task for the others I could not set for you… I did not know you because you did not know yourself.” What does this reveal about the relationship between self-awareness and destiny or purpose in the narrative?
Answer:
Anabin’s statement reveals a profound connection between self-awareness and the ability to fulfill one’s purpose or destiny. The fact that Anabin could assign tasks to others but not to Bowie because Bowie lacked self-knowledge suggests that understanding oneself is a prerequisite for meaningful action or responsibility. It implies that without self-awareness, one’s role or purpose remains unclear or unattainable. This reflects a theme in the narrative that identity and purpose are intertwined; knowing who you are is essential to engaging fully with life’s challenges and missions. It also highlights Bowie’s unique existential state as someone caught between selves and histories, complicating his path.5. Considering the chapter’s exploration of life, death, and legacy, how might the themes discussed influence a reader’s perspective on mortality and memory?
Answer:
The chapter encourages readers to reflect on mortality not as an end but as a transformation that involves memory, legacy, and connection beyond physical life. Through the motif of the song passed on to infants and the dialogue about Avelot, Bowie, and Kristofer, the narrative invites contemplation of how elements of a person—memories, identities, songs—persist and influence future generations. This perspective softens the finality of death by emphasizing continuity through cultural and emotional transmission. Readers might be inspired to consider how their own lives and memories contribute to a larger, ongoing human story, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ways in which we live on in others.
Quotes
1. “There is a song that Anabin knows and Bogomil knows better. He sings it often down in his realm. Even when Bogomil is singing other songs, he is always singing this one.”
This quote introduces the motif of the song as a persistent, underlying presence in the lives of the characters Anabin and Bogomil, symbolizing continuity and connection. It sets a tone of mysterious but meaningful repetition that permeates the chapter.
2. “But Bowie put the song into the heads of every infant in the NICU. He impressed the pattern into their dreams. They would know the song all their lives without ever knowing how they knew it.”
Here, the song transcends personal memory and becomes a collective, unconscious inheritance, illustrating the theme of legacy and the subtle ways in which identity and art are transmitted across generations. This passage highlights Bowie’s profound impact beyond immediate perception.
3. “Songs are doors, too.”
This succinct, metaphorical statement encapsulates a central concept of the chapter—that songs serve as gateways to other realms, memories, or states of being. It crystallizes the symbolic importance of music as a transformative and connective force.
4. “I did not know who I was,” Bowie said. “Now I know, but I am not that person now. I do not wish to be.”
This quote captures a pivotal moment of self-awareness and transformation for Bowie, emphasizing themes of identity evolution and the rejection of a former self. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of self-knowledge and change.
5. “In my experience,” Anabin said, “some people are harder to get rid of than others.”
Ending the chapter on a note of resilience and persistence, this line suggests the enduring nature of certain individuals or essences despite attempts at erasure or loss. It resonates with the chapter’s reflections on memory, identity, and survival.