Final answer:
The family reacts to Erma's death with overwhelming grief, characterized by shock, bewilderment, and profound sadness, leaving them deeply affected by the tragedy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The family's responses to Erma's death are characterized by profound grief and shock. Across the various excerpts, it's evident that loss has a deep, transformative impact on family members. The shock of Basil's death left the family refusing to accept further tragedy, and hope was a coping mechanism. With Erma's death, one can sense the bereavement in the image of family members on their knees.
The solemn chime of Easter bells suggests a collective mourning. A mother's grief is described as wild abandonment. A grandmother's desolate end, in another passage, highlights the profound loneliness and sorrow that can accompany a person's passing in old age.
Condolence cards and drafts of thankful responses represent a formal acknowledgment of the family's loss and the support from the community. The rapid spread of news and the stunned reactions to Milly Erne's grave add to the theme of grief and astonishment upon learning of a loved one's death.