Ways of Dying

This novel by Zakes Mda is, like our other readings, written in a non-linear format. The point of view in the account changes from third person (he, she) to first person (we) which makes it a little confusing to read. From whose point of view are readers vieweing the "we"? It is certainly not from Toloki or Noria's point of view, maybe from the objective others?

pg. 98 - "Death lives with us everyday. Indeed our ways of dyinf are our ways of living. Or should I say our ways of living are our ways of dying?"

pg. 115 - "Death becomes me, it is a part of me. How will they know where to find me? How will my clients find me, Noria? I cannot live without death, Noria."

pg. 133 - "Death was therefore profitable. He made up his mind that he too was going to benefit from death."

Toloki is a professional mourner, who, as a by-product of his profession, becomes an expert at how people have come to die. Death becomes integrated into his life as something that he cann0t live without. Noria's two sons, Vutha, become a repetition and provides more insight into how (one) existence has multiple ways in which it can die.