After re-reading The Book of the Dead in order to fully grasp the meaning behind it, I noticed that religion was a prominent role throughout the essay. Since the Egyptians were big on the after life and reincarnation in general, they wanted to bring the people back to life. Death was seen in a negative light. These people went as far as praying to the non-living as an attempt to bring them back. Additionally, race is is another theme the essay brings up. Black families went without food and work, freezing through the winter. Cemeteries made up of mostly white people wouldn’t accept blacks who had died. They, unfortunately, didn’t have the same privileges as others. Even when it came to their death.