The reencounter

Plot Summary

Dr. Max Greitzer, was awaken early in the morning to a phones call, discovering disturbing news that Liza Nestling, a woman he had strong relations with years ago, had died.
Nestling and Greitzer had been together for fifteen years, breaking up because of numerous misunderstandings and issues among each other. However hearing the news and clearly upset about it, he attended the funeral that morning a little early, to view Liza by himself.
Liza had always told Max that he tended to act like a robot, expressing no emotion. He never believed this until now, when strangely he became neither “dejected nor frightened” Singer writes, of what tragedy had occurred. As he is viewing the body, a woman who distinctively resembled Lisa, had entered the room. Immediately, Max assumed that his was Liza’s sister Bella, and made that assumption vocally introducing himself to her, once again. He was wrong.
She responded in attempt to tell Max that the “real” Max Greitzer had died, and that it was listed in the newspapers. However at the time of explaining to this mysterious lady, that this information was untrue, Max realized, that he along with Liza Nestling both were dead. He also came to the conclusion that this astounding resemblance of his old love, indeed actually was Liza. Liza explains to him that even when he was told about her death, his body was already there. At first, Max is extremely confused and clearly doesn’t believe that he is actually dead, but then realizes as Singer writes, “only someone on the other side of life could accept with such indifference the death of a person he had once loved.” After discovering this ironically he learns about Liza and her life following the time she spent with Max.
As the story goes on the two visits the chapel where they come to Liza’s funeral, and she witnesses a quiet chapel where a man is speaking of her in front of many grieving family and close friends. They discuss with one another on different things to do together, almost as if they are starting something from scratch, something new.

Analysis

Dr. Max Greitzer awakens to phone call where he discovers death of last lover he knew years ago. He attends funeral where he encounters her (Liza) and realizes that he has died also. However he presents an unusual reaction for this, as he is not moved by the fact or loss of things. He then begins to adjust as he gets farther and farther from his moment of death.
As you read this incredible short story many interpretations can be thought of. Personally as the story goes on, I feel as if Max and Liza are starting from scratch with each other, corresponding to life after death. Maybe a new beginning? At first, once Max realizes he is dead, I feel as if he is kind of being a jerk to Liza, giving her attitude because he can’t face the truth. She suggests on doing different things together such as attend his funeral in such. But maybe this is because he is still fighting the truth, and is frustrated.
Towards the end of the story he quotes, “I don’t believe this is the end,” Perhaps a transition between the two modes of existence.” This is when the thought of the two re-starting life together crosses my mind. Singer ends saying, “Max Greitzer took her astral arm and they began to rise without purpose, with out destination. As they might have done from an airplane, they looked down at the earth and saw cities, rivers, fields, lakes - everything but humans.” This could be the two starting their new life, a life following death where nothing can get in the way to stop them.

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