Blocks of slate
After addressing the children, the poet suggests that maybe the children think of blocks of slate when they think about the world that surrounds them. The term slate usually refers to a rock that is sometimes used to cover roofs. Thus, its main purpose is to protect those inside the house from the harsh elements from outside. The blocks of slate are the first elements mentioned by the poet, transmitting the idea that they are important. Thus, the blocks of slate are used here as a symbol for protection and safety.
Enclosed
The poet describes the world as being a number of things enclosed and connected to one another. Instead of describing each element as a singular object, the author points out that in our world, everything is connected. Nothing exists in isolation and in order for something to have meaning, those elements need to be connected. When someone ignores the connection or even worst, tries to separate the elements, he destroys the natural order of things and instead of creating something that person destroys the meaning of the world. This idea is one of the major motifs in the poem.
Destruction and harmony
The slates described in the poem are "dappled red and green’’, an unusual combination of colors. The colors usually have a symbolic meaning in poems or other literary works and here it is no different. Usually, red symbolizes love and also destruction, being associated with the idea of fire. Green on the other hand, symbolizes harmony and growth, the total opposite of red. What the poet highlights through this is the idea that opposites are not as separated as one would think. If harmony did not exist, then the idea of destruction would not exist either. Thus, this example exemplifies even more the idea that everything is connected in the world.
Brown paper parcel
In the poem, in order to reach the secret, the children have to untie a string holding a brown paper parcel together. The brown paper parcel is an important element because inside it lays the secrets of the world. However, even though the secret is important, it is held by something extremely fragile and easy to break. The brown paper parcel symbolizes the fact that in many cases, the things we consider as being of most value are easy to access and in front of us to grab. All a person has to do is reach out and take them.
The fruit of knowledge
Inside the brown paper parcel, there lies an island and in the middle of the island there is a tree that holds a "husky fruit’’, the fruit that the children all try to reach. The fruit may symbolize in this context the idea of knowledge and the fruit may make reference to the tree of knowledge that appears in the Bible. Thus, it is easy to assume that the fruit may symbolize here knowledge.
