1. In part three, six characters die or their deaths are described-Una, Samuel, Charles, Lee's mother, Dessie and Tom. How does the omnipresence of death change the mood and atmosphere of the novel?
The omnipresence of death makes the novel take on a more pessimistic, dark and sorrowful turn. With each character that dies, something almost valuable dies with that person. Take Una's death for instance; how she died exactly isn't known, although it is mentioned that her family thought she died because of chemicals around her home, but it is seen that once she leaves, it gravely affects her family especially Samuel. The once happy, strong, jovial man suddenly becomes overcome with grief, and doesn't truly let go of his daughter's death. He ages more quickly than his time would permit, and becomes weak as he blames himself for her death (E.O.E. 276). He mentions to Tom that "a mother loves best an ugly child," not that Una was ugly, or very pretty either, but it's almost as if Samuel feels that although he loved her he just as well neglected her. With Una's death Samuel feels there's truly no point in living for tomorrow, thus his usual optimism is gone once his daughter dies, and he willingly accepts that his time has come for him to depart this world. When it comes to Dessie's death, Tom feels even worse as he blames himself for accidentally killing his beloved sister by giving her the salts for her stomach ache. Knowing that the guilt and grief he is feeling will probably kill him before his time, he does the unthinkable and commits suicide, thus he also felt pessimistic about the future ahead, and probably didn't see his life progressing anywhere without his sister (E.OE. 408-409).
3. How are the twins, Cal and Aron, different? Look at the paragraph near the end of chapter 27, where the difference in the two boys is described by their supposed responses to an anthill. How do Cal's actions accord with description?
While Aron is kindhearted, calm and generous, just like his father, Cal is dark, manipulative, very observant and quite smart just like his mother. As Lee likes to describe them, Aron is instantly liked by people who meet him(E.O.E 294) because of his character and who he is, and it's as if there is this light about him that draws people to him without him even trying. It's possible that it's this light that Abra sees that makes her take an instant liking to Aron so much. Cal however, Lee mentions, always seems to be fighting for his life (E.O.E. 294), as he seems to take the backseat whenever it comes to both brothers. Again just like his mother Cal seems to know the weak spots of people around him and he is sure to note exactly what a person is like, especially his brother and he uses this to his advantage and manipulates and changes certain situations as he sees fit.
From the description about how both boys would respond to the anthill, it can be seen that with Aron's caring nature he sees that everything in this world is as it should, thus should not be trifled with. Cal on the other hand given his manipulative nature, as is mentioned in the book would tamper with the ants, and in so doing he would change things around him in the world to suit his ways (E.O.E. 348-349). Cal will always have a way to make the most uncertain of situations work out in his favor, for it's just who he chooses to be, and it's almost as if his whole being and existence depends on it, just like his mother sees her whole existence depending on being evil.
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