“A Ghost being haunted by music” - “Old Habits”
The narrator claims, “Everywhere I wander, I’m followed by elevator music versions of the usual hoary Christmas classics.” Ordinarily, it is living human beings who can be preoccupied by music because they have the capability to connect with music and construe it. The irony of the ghost being discomfited by the music intensifies the fantasy in “Old Habits.”
Heartbeat - “Old Habits”
The narrator recognizes, “My heart starts pounding so quickly that my body trembles a little with every beat. Even though I know I don’t have a heart, or a body. Even though I know it’s just reflex.” Ghosts are unconscious so they do not have hearts. It is only human beings who can make out their heartbeats. The ironical heartbeat constructs a fantastical world where ghosts can lead lives parallel to the human life.
“A pickney is a blessing to a family” - “The Glass Bottle Trick”
Gloria heartens Beatrice to apprise her husband about her pregnancy because she regards children as benedictions. However, for Samuel, children signify obscenities. He murders his pregnant wives so that he can forestall the prospect of putting up with black kids.
