Paradise discussion

SPOILER ALERT

In the beginning of the book, the main characters are gunned down. Then we read their stories and go back to their murders. What I don't understand is how in the very next scene, all the characters are very much alive. None of the bodies were found; is it possible they were never actually killed? If so, why didn't the book come out and say so?

I heard a theory that each woman had died before coming to Ruby, so they weren't actually killed. That might make sense, though it seems to me that Morrison would have left more clues that this was the case.

Thoughts?

I read this a long time ago so I don't remember all the details, but I’ve just re-read the last few pages to jog my memory. I do remember that there are clues as to whether or not these women were still alive at the end of the book, and I believe that they are. I believe the theory that each woman had died before coming to Ruby doesn’t mean a literal death, but maybe a spiritual death in that they were all troubled and in need of help/healing. The reason why I believe they are alive, but healed of their emotional wounds is because of the scene with Seneca at the end of the novel in which she’s cut her hand and can feel the pain. And again, I haven’t read the novel in years so I could be wrong, but I do remember that she couldn’t feel pain before that point. I also read the quote at the beginning of the novel and it made me think a bit more about how they survived the shooting and the identity of the old woman (I don’t remember her name) and why there appeared to be something spiritual about her. The last few words of the novel talk of them being on a beach and “...the endless work they were created to do down here in Paradise.” It is clear that they are on a real beach because of the description. When I read the last few lines the first time, I thought she was referring to the two women and the work they have to do on Paradise/Earth. This made me think that the two women were, perhaps, angels here on earth, which they see as Paradise. And I suppose it suggests that Earth and life doesn’t have to be the hell it is for most people and that they can be healed of their wounds and experience paradise. But now I think she may have been referring to the work the crew and passengers have to do on Paradise, which leaves me with a different interpretation.

But after all this rambling, the real answer to your question is that I don’t know. So I think I will just go and re-read the book and then maybe post another comment:-)

I believe that the story of the women centers around voodoo and/or spirit teachers/spirit worshipers...This was the main reason for them being gunned down in the first place. The town saw it as devil worship or worship of something unholy and believed that it had to be stopped. Think back to the scene in the book when one of the women shows up at the house and is introduced to one of the elder women located upstairs in one of the bedrooms...the elder woman begins to chant and suddenly the room is a glow with no visible source of light... As for them showing up alive at the end of the book, I believe they were under a protection spell which would be a direct reflection and result of the kind of worship they practiced. The magical aspect of this story is introduced very early in the story and it's easy to miss... A lot of Toni Morrison's stories are written with similar themes.

I believe they died. As for why their bodies weren't found, remember there is that door/window in the field that the two people see when they are looking for clues the crime scene. They could have (spiritually/physically) taken themselves into the next world. When they encounter people from their past lives, I think they came in contact with the real living world in order to tie up the loose ends with their loved ones. But overall yeah, I, personally, strongly believe they died.