It occurred to us that she and the girls read secret signs of misery in cloud formations, that despite the discrepancies in their ages something timeless communicated itself between them, as though she were advising the girls in her mumbling Greek, "Don't waste your time on life."
In "The Virgin Suicides," the narrative suggests a deep connection between the protagonist and the Lisbon sisters, reflecting their shared sense of despair. The image of the girls interpreting the clouds hints at their understanding of the nuanced sadness in their lives, and how they relate to one another beyond words or age differences.
The quoted advice in mumbling Greek emphasizes a poignant, almost fatalistic view of life, urging the girls...