In "Emily Climbs" by L.M. Montgomery, the characters grapple with the concept of reincarnation and its implications. The protagonist, Emily, expresses her interest in a theory proposed by Dean regarding a succession of lives. However, she is unsure about Dean's true beliefs in this idea, which casts doubt on its authenticity.

Ilse counters this notion by raising a critical point: the uncertainty of one's next life. She questions the appeal of being reborn without the guarantee of coming back as a good person. This dialogue illustrates the characters' philosophical dilemmas as they ponder the moral complexities of life after death.