The Five People You Meet in Heaven

by

Mitch Albom

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The Five People You Meet in Heaven: Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Further back in time, Eddie is a young man about to ship off to war, and his family and friends are sending him off with an emotional birthday celebration. Throughout the night Eddie thinks of asking Marguerite to wait for him, but he can’t bring himself to ask her, even as they spend a romantic evening after the party, walking by the ocean at Ruby Pier. As if reading his mind, Marguerite announces that she will wait for him, and asks only that he come back alive. Eddie wishes that he could “freeze time” with Marguerite.
Again, female characters are shown to have more emotional fluency than their male counterparts, as Marguerite assumes the role of emotional interpreter. The impossible act of “freezing time” would be the only way Eddie could prevent his possible death and permanent separation from Marguerite, and this image creates an early link between time and the cycle of life that results in death.
Themes
The Connection Between All Humans Theme Icon
The Cycle of Life and Death Theme Icon
The Value in Ordinary Life Theme Icon
Time Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
Quotes