9/11 Memorials: A Summary And Analysis

In the last chapters of the book, music becomes a powerful symbol of unity and perseverance. As each character makes their way down the streets New York for the one year memorial service for 9/11 victims, they hear and feel the power of the music ringing in the air. During the ceremony, “a lady was going to play the flute and, one after another, relatives of those who were killed were going to walk up onto the stage and read the names, nearly three thousand, out loud” (Baskin 178). The act of reading all the names is symbolic in itself, representing each individuals’ life and accomplishments, however the music playing while these names are read is what brings all of the individuals together. All of the individuals whose names are called are united by their unexpected death and each of the relatives who speak the names are united by their heart wrenching grief. The flute music playing in the background also contributes to the somber atmosphere of the event.

At the 9/11 memorial, the flute is not the only source of music.

Aimee hears, “flags snapp[ing] like whips and the crooning of the wind harmoniz[ing] with the steady sound of human crying” (Baskin 181). All of the sorrow and pain felt by the crowd gathered is released through their sounds and together these sounds produce a musical composition. Their cries produce exquisite melodies and harmonies because everyone in the crowd is experiencing the same general emotions of mourning and heartbreak. Music has strong effects on one’s emotions and the music playing during the 9/11 memorial service is certainly filled with an array of heartbroken emotions. The music the crowd creates symbolizes how the tragedies of 9/11 bind all Americans

together.
Music carries across all cultures, religions, and races. As a crowd of people gathered to stand up for Naheed and her family, “releasing into the air with the sounds of the flute were the names of those who had died, in this very spot, remembered always, floating on the music of a warm September wind” (Baskin 188). At the memorial, the wind carries the music across the scene and lets it ring through every person’s ears. Everyone experiences this music and everyone experiences the turmoil of emotions related to the 9/11 attacks.
Another symbol that appears at this memorial service is the weather. On the day of the 9/11 attacks everyone remembers the weather being particularly nice. The skies were clear and bright blue before they were filled with the smoke from the attack. The quick change in the sky shows how conditions went from peaceful to chaotic in a matter of seconds. On the day of the memorial just one year later the sky “was sunny, but not as clear”(Baskin 180). Although an entire year has passed, the confusion and fear about the attack has not disappeared and this is reflected in the unclear sky. Everyone is still suffering, but the sky is not filled with complete darkness. There is still sunlight and there is still hope. This hope can be seen when the crowd gathers to stand up for Naheed and her family and in all of the flowers left to honor the dead. Overall the symbols in these last two chapters relay how all Americans are united by the grief of past events and hope for the future.