In the poem “Absalom” from The Book of the Dead, some lines are written in italics as literary allusions that add extra meaning to the poem. These lines reference important stories from both Egyptian mythology and the Bible, focusing on themes of death and loss. For example, “Absalom” is a character from the Bible who faced great tragedy, connecting with the poem’s focus on a family’s suffering due to the harsh realities of coal mining. These allusions help demonstrate that the pain the family experiences is not just their own, it is part of a bigger story about grief that has existed throughout history. By linking their struggles to these well-known stories, the poem highlights that everyone deals with loss and seeks meaning, making the challenges faced by coal miners relatable to all of us. This connection allows one to see that even in tough times, we can find strength and understanding through shared stories from the past.

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