Is Ronnie Dead?

Researching the subject of out-of-body experiences, Andy Jackson observed that:

"most of the books devoted to [the silver cord] are concerned not with death itself but near-death experiences, in which the individual claims to see the silver cord connecting their physical and astral bodies, like an umbilical cord of light.

"Okay; so Ronnie states that the cord is broken, signifying death. What if, though, Ian was using this piece of symbolism in his own way? What if the Passion Play is a drama concerning an individual who isn't in fact dead?"

A very good point. It's a bit difficult to distinguish metaphor from narrative in a few parts of The Play. Taken as straight narrative, there's a definite discrepancy in between the funeral scene (i.e. Ronnie's very dead!) and the final scene, where he seems to return to his previous life (presumably not in the coffin...).

Unless it is a metaphorical funeral. Rather than around his literal grave, Ronnie's friends may be standing aligned around him, comatose in a hospital bed, thinking he's about to die. They may have arrived after he lost consciousness, so too late to speak with him, but he mightn't necessarily be dead.
One thing that might help resolve the issue is the local geography. If there's a cemetery on the Fulham Road, it's probably a real funeral, but if there's a large hospital, it might be a near-death experience in intensive care. Unfortunately, the Fulham Road features both a large cemetery and three major hospitals, so either scenario would fit.

"Think about it - after the story of the Hare, what happens? Ronnie's heartbeat begins again, played by Jeffrey on the bass, strong and steady."

My first instinct was to say 'nah; coincidence', but if the metaphor of the failing heartbeat at the beginning of The Play was intentional - and I think it was - I very much doubt the healthy heartbeat at the start of Act Three was accidental either.

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