Common Intersections in Uncommon Lives

In Mitch Albom's, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the theme centers on the circular nature of life. "No story sits by itself. Sometimes stories meet at corners and sometimes they cover one another completely, like stones beneath a river" (16, paragraph 8). Every action has a reaction. Albom prompts readers to stop and think about life, and to question what effects their actions may have had on others. This story is unique, as it begins at the end, with the precious moments leading up to Eddie's death. "It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time" (1, paragraph 1). These words set the stage for occurrences throughout the remainder of the novel. As Eddie embarks on a journey of knowledge, he is introduced to five people who have impacted him, either directly or indirectly, at a common intersection in their lives. Each one of these five characters teaches Eddie a unique lesson about his life and what he lived for.

The first person Eddie meets is the Blue Man, who brings with him a lesson about the choices people make in life. Upon introduction, he seems to be nothing more than a sideshow freak Eddie viewed at Ruby Pier during his childhood. The Blue Man reminds Eddie of a day in his past. A seemingly harmless incident on Eddie's part is the cause of the Blue Man's death. When Eddie hears this, he makes the comment that he should have died instead of the Blue Man. At this point, he is taught a very valuable lesson. "It is because the human spirit knows, deep down, that all lives intersect. That death doesn't just take someone, it misses someone else, and in the small distance between being taken and being missed, lives are changed" (76, paragraph 2). This statement provokes each reader to reflect on his or her own choices, and how they may have affected others. All lives do intersect, whether it is by the chosen path, or the one disregarded.

The Captain further indulges Albom's theme of the circular nature of life by sharing with Eddie that sacrifice is a part of life. "That's the thing. Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else" (151, paragraph 3). He explains that Eddie should not feel regret for sacrifices made; instead he should aspire to make them. The Captain's act of sacrifice carries the ultimate consequence. His life ends so the lives of his crew can continue to see another day. He teaches Eddie the important lesson of every action has a reaction.

Ruby, whom the pier was named after, is the third person Eddie meets on his quest for understanding. Although Eddie never met her during his lifetime, she is there because she wants to see everyone who has ever suffered at the pier safe and secure. Eddie does suffer, as he harbors anger toward his father. "That's because no one is born with anger. And when we die, the soul is freed of it. But now, here, in order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did, and why you no longer need to feel it" (230, paragraph 3). Ruby clarifies a point about anger. In order for Eddie to move on to safety and security, he has to know that anger must be discarded. It serves no purpose on earth, and it serves no purpose in heaven. What goes around comes around, and the anger Eddie felt toward his father affects him