How do the shared stories and experiences within the narrative underline the universality of human experiences across different time periods?

How do the shared stories and experiences within the narrative underline the universality of human experiences across different time periods?

I think it was the grief and how it was handled that intertwined the stories across the different time periods. Everyone, no matter the time period you live in, experiences grief. Anna's way of handling her grief was different but similar to Sarah's, Hazel's and Oran's. They all felt guilt about the passing of their loved one, but Anna and Hazel dealt with it by seeing "visions" or visits from the loved one. Sarah and Oran dealt with theirs by stuffing their feelings deep inside and not dealing directly with it until they met and discovered they had common ground.

There are legends and myths throughout the history of mankind, ranging from Greek myths to current day ghost stories and creatures like Bigfoot. Universities still have Folklore majors that coincide with a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in Arts and Sciences. There are believers in the supernatural at all levels of society. Harold isn’t the only student or story collector.

I agree with others that the shared experience of grief is part of the human condition. The story also highlights the importance of community, friends, and family. I found it interesting to see the differences in the opportunities and expectations of women in the one hundred years from 1910 to 2010. Sarah hopped on a plane on a whim, while Anna felt a duty to stay with her family after her mother died.

I agree with the previous comments about grief being a shared human experience. The importance of family and friends to our well being is also universal.

I agree that grief is a shared experience, although I think each person experiences it and expresses it differently.

I think humanity is a shared experience. And the sooner we get that people are people, no matter their country, religion, nationality, the sooner we'll have world peace. We all bleed when hurt, we all hunger for food, we all want our childrren to be same. What's more human than that?

The shared stories were delightful and echo the tradition of passing folk tales or family histories in many communities across the world.

While grief is the predominant universal experience in the book, I think the sense of self within the circle of family and friends and the need for human contact is also stressed. Sarah needed to break from her husband to care for her own personal grief and care, Hazel needed to have a role in the world other than the grieving sister and daughter. Yet both women found that there also was a need and a space for others to enter their lives despite the loss of someone very, very close.

Sarah learns something from Anna's story and that is how she begins to heal from her own loss.

I agree with Katherinep. Grief is a major connector, but self-awareness and moving beyond grief were integral parts of the characters' development. Grief has to be dealt with eventually. Sharing other feelings with someone can be the most important step to healing.