Importance of music

The music Alex and Christine are listening to when they learn of Zachary's death is a symbol of their vastly different sensibilities and their tendency toward conflict. When the novel opens, the narrator notes that Christine will not ask Alex what artist is playing because "he took too much pleasure in knowing what she didn't know" (1). This is evidence that there is animosity in their relationship. When Christine comes back into the room and tells Alex that Zachary has died, he insists upon listening to the rest of the song. At first, Christine is annoyed, but then she feels like the sound of the classical instruments "unlocked something clenched inside her" (6). In some ways, their differences are a good thing. In this moment, Alex helps Christine feel her emotions more deeply.