Magnolia Leaves · Character

the Reaper Death

Personified Death appearing as a symbolic figure in several poems.

minor

Also known as the grim Reaper

First appearance: The Crucifixion

the Reaper Death shows up with force in Bells of St. Michael. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Implied by the tolling of bells for the dead buried in 'God's Acre'.

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In Bells of St. Michael: Implied by the tolling of bells for the dead buried in 'God's Acre'. Later, in The Crucifixion: Mentioned as…

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See the Reaper Death in The Crucifixion

Character Web

3 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Historical and symbolic figures
Protagonist
Recurring named figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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In the story

the Reaper Death appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Bells of St. Michael
Implied by the tolling of bells for the dead buried in 'God's Acre'.
The Crucifixion
Mentioned as having lost its dominion over humanity because of Christ's death.
Uranne
Referenced as the 'sharp scythe of the Reaper Death' that takes the mother.
Magnolia
Personified as the grim Reaper who claims the maiden and encompasses the narrator.
Nestle-Down Cottage
Implied as the cause of the child's death, referred to in the line 'they whispered my darling was dead'.
The Dying Girl
Implied presence as the dying girl nears the end of her life.
Lines to Florence
Personified as 'King Death, the mighty reaper' who takes Florence.
Passing of the Old Year
Implied as the force that has taken spirits and caused sorrow throughout the year.
The Cherokee
Death is referenced through the fallen warriors and children.
Ode to Peace
Implied as the force behind the 'dead' yielded to God and earth.
A Requiem
Addressed as an insatiable monster who took the young friend despite her youth and the spring season.
The Grafted Bud
Implied as the force that doomed the child to die.
Rev. Samuel Weston
Referenced as the 'gates of death' that the Reverend passes through triumphantly.
Mr. Edward Fordham
Death is personified as a dark portal through which Mr. Fordham passes to find relief from pain.
Death of a Grandparent
Death is referenced as 'death's portals' which the grandmother has passed through to enter life.
Queenie
Death is referenced as 'death's dart' which Queenie escapes by ascending to heaven.
In Memoriam
Death's Portal is mentioned as the passage the child passes through.
Mrs. Rebecca Weston
Addressed as 'death' in the rhetorical question about the sting of death.
Mrs. E. Cohrs Brown
Death is implied as the force that has taken the young woman's life.

Chapter companion notes

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See the Reaper Death in The Crucifixion

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