Ways of Dying

I believe Zakes Mda is trying to convey the message that life and death are inseparable from one another and must cohabit together. Life is symbolized through Noria, as her laughter and singing brings great pleasure to those who have heard them. Death is symbolized by Toloki, as he is a Professional Mourner that in a way celebrates death, and is constantly being described as someone that smells like death. As the novel progresses, Noria and Toloki become closer to one another emotionally and physically; indicating that life and death are getting closer to one another as well. The physical barriers that separated Toloki and Noria during childhood and adulthood begin to diminish, as they go from being in separate parts of the city, to the same shack, and eventually being as close as physically possible as they bathe one another. By showing this progression between Noria and Toloki, Mda portrays life and death as being inseparable from one another, just as Toloki and Noria were eventually separated as children and find themselves back together later in life.