Importance of Death

Death is presented in this story as a man who Astri encounters during a dream. He might be real or he might exist only in her dream. He grants Astri the power to see him and explains to her how she can tell whether a person's death is certain. Astri tricks Death by turning Greta's body to a different position, making it possible for Greta to be saved. The fact that some people can be saved from Death is a symbol of the uncertainty of life and of Astri's inability to control all aspects of life.