Hetton (symbol)
Hetton is a symbol of the past. Tony’s connection to this place is quite understandable, for it has been residence of the Last family for many years. However, this dependence on the house does him no good. The poor man is “never happy away from Hetton,” he is like a prisoner of his own home. Tony’s love for it is so strong that Brenda describes him as “madly feudal,” making fun of him and that dear house of his. It is not a secret that no one can live in the past and Tony’s story proves this point just fine.
A pony (allegory)
Little John Andrew used to be a usual boy. He was extremely fond of horses, freedom, and funny stories that he liked to pick up from Ben. His little pony is allegory of childhood, innocence, and happiness. That “good little pony” was oblivious to the dangers of the world, injustice, and other horrors. It could run all day long and so could “poor little” John Andrew. He was as carefree and happy as his favorite pet. Upon John’s death, the pony was sold, so the last bits of happiness left Hetton. It was “all over.”
Holding onto the past (motif)
Tony Last was a good man but not without a flaw. He was too dependent on the past, he literally stuck in it. It was “pretty boring for him at Hetton” but he knew that he couldn’t be happy elsewhere. He had got into habit “of loving and trusting Brenda,” of living at Hetton, almost never leaving it even for short-lasting visits to his old friends. He was holding on to the past desperately. The irony of Tony’s life was that he learned to treasure his freedom as soon as he had lost it.
