Body and Spirit

Dispirited by Louisa Perkins portrayed a world that was both relatable, believable yet also over my head and questionable which is why I think I enjoyed this novel so much. It read like an enjoyable, fantasy-like novel but touched on deeper ideas and thoughts that have definitely circled in my mind especially as a Latter Day Saint. For example, as Latter Day Saints we believe that the mortal existence is not the first existence and not the last. Perkins novel creates different existences or dimensions and intermingles them with each other. Though the details of the Spirit World are unknown, it is often described as being close and being around us. Perkins definitely portrays a path in which worlds can connect and though portrayed in a more magical way, she makes the mind ponder.

The most impactful aspect of Perkins' novel that stuck me was her emphasis on the importance of the soul and its relationship with the physical body. Not only the importance of the relationship but the individuality of the relationship. At one point in the novel, Januarye explains that Zared's spirit will never belong in Bunny's body. This explanation suggests that our souls are unique and our bodies are designed to suit one soul alone. Once Bunny's soul as left his body, he cannot fully function with out it in fact he can barely function at all. This is why he require Cathy's help. The longer Bunny is away from his body, the more disconnected he comes and the more of himself he loses. Being a Latter Day Saint, I have been taught that when we depart from our mortal existence our spirit and body are separated for a time but will one day be reunited. This reunification of body and soul is crucial to our eternal existence. If the relationship between a body and spirit were unimportant this bonding would not be a pertinent part of eternity. Yet while on Earth we are commanded to take care of our bodies and treat them as sacred and holy while also nourishing our spirits allowing them to grow in unison. Perkins illuminates this idea in her novel by making one of the main purposes be reuniting Bunny with his rightful body.

Perkins' novel, when looked at as a whole, reads as a great fantastical novel. Yet, when taken apart in pieces this novel reflects and supports in a sense the beliefs that I have come to know. Though she addresses hazy concepts like the post-mortal world, ghosts/spirits, Heaven and Hell, she does so in a manner that is thought provoking and enjoyable.