How I Became A Ghost: Category B Prompt D
I chose this particular version of this song for a couple of key reasons. The obvious reason that I chose this particular cover is that it is adapted to be sung from a male point of view. However, the reasons that I picked this song to be included in the soundtrack of a movie adaptation of this novel go so much deeper than just that. I believe that this song not only captures the sadness of death, but it really parallels the novel in that instead of feeling sorry for himself, the vocalist is more concerned about the repercussions that his death will have on his family. ("Lord, make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother//She'll know I'm safe with You when she stands under my colors") Isaac does not mourn his own death, but rather dreads the sight of his parents finding out that he has been killed by a wolf. This part of the song is also alluding to the "afterlife," which we know plays a big role in this novel. Isaac arguably is able to help more as a ghost than he does prior to his death. Another line of the song that really seemed to correspond with Isaac's mentality is the one that states, "I've had just enough time." It takes on Isaac's matter-of-fact manner when discussing his own death. He has aided Joseph in locating Naomi, and as a ghost, he can further help him with the actual rescue part of the "mission." Isaac is calm about his death. In the book, he says, "the men and women sang the Choctaw friendship song, a song to welcome me." (Tingle, e-text) This version of the song is simple, yet emotional in that it delivers the message of moving on after death without dwelling on the sadness too much. Finally, the song shares the same eerie "premonition" feel that readers see throughout the beginning of the novel while Isaac knows that he "will become a ghost soon." (Tingle)
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteAt first I was skeptical of the connections here, maybe because I hate the original version of this song, but I do think you are right that there are parallels both in the concern for those left behind and in the gaining of more power after death. They have that line about how their words will matter more in death than they did in life, and we see that with Isaac as well. Of course, there's also the stark contrast between this romantic image of death and burial (lay me down in a bed of roses, on satin, etc.) and the harsh image of Isaac's body being torn apart by an animal and later the bones being stripped and bleached down.