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A phrase used to refer to the rush of energy and light that occurs when a soul departs the Bardo. Whenever someone finally decides to move on from their transitional state, the matterlightblooming phenomenon claims their body, creating a “bone-chilling” “firesound” as it whisks them away.
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The Matterlightblooming Phenomenon Term Timeline in Lincoln in the Bardo
The timeline below shows where the term The Matterlightblooming Phenomenon appears in Lincoln in the Bardo. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 29
...“of terror or victory” and then the “familiar, yet always bone-chilling, firesound associated with the matterlightblooming phenomenon .”
(full context)
...try to formulate a response, two more occurrences of the “firesound” associated with the “ matterlightblooming phenomenon ” bleat into the night.
(full context)
Chapter 30
...try to determine which three souls departed, since they heard three instances of the “ matterlightblooming phenomenon .” As they search, they pass many people “weeping with the effort of resistance” and...
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Chapter 37-41
...blinding flash of light” appears, taking the soldier away with the “firesound associated with the matterlightblooming phenomenon .” Feeling as though the soldier didn’t even “give this place a proper chance,” Bevins...
(full context)
Chapter 61
...simultaneously becoming cause and (awed) observer (from within) of the bone-chilling firesound associated with the matterlightblooming phenomenon […], I went.”
(full context)
Chapter 82
...palace, that dreadful diamond palace!” Vollman and Bevins then hear the sound of the “ matterlightblooming phenomenon ,” and the Reverend is gone.
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Chapter 91
When Willie reveals that everybody is dead, three people immediately succumb to the “ matterlightblooming phenomenon .” “Dead!” the boy shouts. “Dead, dead, dead!” As the crowd of souls scrambles to...
(full context)
...we should.” With this, he closes his eyes and departs, the strength of the “ matterlightblooming phenomenon ” knocking Vollman and Bevins off their feet.
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Chapter 97
...leave their friend, respecting his wish to stay as they embrace and succumb to the matterlightblooming phenomenon .”
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