Ellen is noticeably disturbed by the sight of her dead
mother, especially as she is being lowered into the ground at the
graveyard. "Why do I need to watch anymore," asks Ellen, consoling
herself with the explanation that "it is all done with lights said
the magician." This "magician" is a character who appears suddenly
during her mother's burial and will reappear with the numerous other deaths
and funeral services she must attend in the future. Ellen calls upon
this imaginary magician because, presumably, she cannot and does
not fully comprehend the absolute finality of death. Although Ellen
does not speak specifically of crying about her mother's death, she
expresses definite sorrow in not wanting to see her lowered into the
ground. The magician helps her cope with her grief, as his use of "lights"
and magic make her mother's death more like a trick than a reality.
Ellen may believe that, like a magician's disappearing trick, her
mother will soon reappear and is comforted by her faith in her mother's
return from the grave to the earth.
