I know that this may seem like a stupid and simple question but it really has been bothering me since I read SUS.
So, if ghosts are real in the world in which the book is set, then why aren't more people talking about seeing them? Is it just Leonie and Jojo who see them? What makes them so special? There are tons of people who died in horrible, violent ways, but the possibility of everyone who died in the Civil War haunting a gaggle of Tennesseans is never brought up. Most of Germany must really be sick of hauntings at this point. What are the rules? Are there rules?
I know I try to be silly and funny a lot but this is a serious, genuine inquiry. Is this something that Jesmyn Ward didn't focus on? Is it like the time travel in the 1995 Terry Gilliam film 12 Monkeys, where the time travel isn't explained because it's used to tell a story or is there some thread of logic I somehow missed? Help me.
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Dearest Tanner,
I too share your concerns about the rules of this universe (particularly the ghostly aspects). We are told by Mam that some people are born with "the vision" which is the ability to see ghosts. The way Mam talks about it makes it seem very rare, and not even she can see ghosts. This would lead us to conclude that the ability is not very common and likely is derived from a connection to Voodoo which Mam practices. The ability then manifests in Jojo and Kayla likely due to their connection to Mam. Since Voodoo is such a niche religion it is unlikely that many people in other places would have this ability.
Another reason the ability is not known about in other places could be that people who claim to have conversations with ghosts would be dismissed as crazy and possibly locked away. This would prevent many people from speaking out about their ability, and would likely keep it far from the forefront of society.
Essentially the ability is likely very uncommon and very taboo to talk about, both of which keep it from public knowledge.
Sincerely,
Brandon Stokes
Dear Brandon,
I thank you for your healthy reply, but I've noticed a hole in your logic.
Leonie sucks at Voodoo. Also, if people practice Voodoo and see ghosts enough, people would probably try to verify that.
With all due respect,
Tanner Duncan Sykes, The First
Dearest Tanner,
I see your point, but I believe that it is due to Mam's inherent connection to Voodoo and the Mothers. Jojo and Kayla are the only ones who truly have "the vision". Leonie, if you're paying attention, has to do like a lot of cocaine in order to see Given. In the Ghost Fight, Leonie can only see Given, not Richie, implying that she doesn't have the full version of the vision (sort of like the free version of photoshop). I would argue that the kids have it because of their inherent connection to Mam and possibly due to the troubled nature of their birth (this is mere speculation, but they were born out of an abusive family who has a violent past giving them a connection to the violent nature of the creation of ghosts). In conclusion, I see how you could erroneously believe that their is a hole in my logic, but I assure you that it is in fact water tight.
Sincerly,
Brandon "The Mandon" Stokes
To My Acquaintance Brandon Stokes,
I see your logic however, I have noticed a FACTUAL INACCURACY in your response. In your haste to attempt to make a fool of me, you said Leonie does cocaine to see Given.
You have neglected to mention the fact that she also does methamphetamine to see given.
You claim to be a man of logic, but I shall spell it out for you. You were wrong.
Also, your response raises the question; is cocaine magic?
Signed,
Tanner Duncan Sykes, The First
Brandon,
I agree with Tanner. You are wrong.
^
What he said.
Brandon,
Clearly the people are on my side. Submit.
Signed,
Tanner
To The Person Known as Tanner Duncan Sykes I,
I cede that I have in fact left out the use of methamphetamine as a method for spectral spectroscopy; however, I am quite intrigued by the fact that such a relevant question has emerged from the barren quagmire of your mind, Is cocaine magic? The book seems to indicate that the use of cocaine (and other drugs) does in fact allow people with latent psychic abilities to pierce the veil. It would seem that some drugs have mystic properties.
To address all of the Anonymouses in the comments, stop hiding behind a mask and show your true faces. If you fail to do so, I must conclude that you are the most cowardly cowards in the history of cowards.
Sincerely,
Brandon "Big Mandon" Stokes
Dearest Tanner Duncan Sykes I,
I believe that the appearances of ghosts in this novel each have a different reason for appearing to each character. I think if everyone saw ghosts, there would be no meaning to why they are there. When Given appears to Leonie, she is in her most vulnerable state. I think Given appearing to her is a reminder of what she needs to change in her life, but also a memory of the past that acts as comfort. Richie is more representative of Jojo's journey toward maturity. He starts unaware of the idea of death, but throughout the novel, he speaks with the dead, Richie, and personally experiences the death of his grandmother, Mam. He starts to experience mature feelings and a sense of manhood, unlike Richie and Given who experienced violent deaths at a young age and were never given the chance to grow old. These ghosts serve a purpose and better highlight the development of Leonie and Jojo characters.
Sincerely,
your P.I.E
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