Blood River Symbol
The title of the book is actually a symbol. So much blood has flowers into the River Congo from atrocities committed on the land that it is now not a river of water and mud but a river of blood. The title symbolizes the violence and murder that has been committed and that will be detailed within the book.
Congo Journey Allegory
Butcher's journey is an allegory of the journey taken decades earlier by Stanley and in fact based on the earlier journalist's trek to the letter. Both journeys trace the River Congo and the only difference is that by the time Butcher undertakes the journey the route is known and the beginning and end established. Butcher's journey also allegorized Stanley's in terms of the transportation used and the General experiences both men have.
Railroad Reclaimed By The Jungle Symbol
There are signs of erstwhile progress, such as railroad tracks that have been laid, but they are overgrown and the jungle has overwhelmed them, reclaiming the railroad entirely. This is a symbol of the regression the country has made and that it is not developing but un-developing. All progress has been reclaimed by the jungle and the country is becoming like it was before there were any humans there at all.
Violence Motif
The title of the book symbolizes violence in its reference to a river of blood, but throughout the travelogue there are constant references to atrocities that have been committed and the fact that the journey itself is fraught with danger from different guerrilla groups. There are also statistics listed that continue the Motif explaining why Congo is the most dangerous country in the world and this is because of the different pro and anti government factions constantly murdering the other side's supporters.
Poverty Motif
So many things point to the motif of poverty. Everything that Butcher sees around him speaks to the poverty of the country. The diet is limited to a rancid-smelling meal called cassata that is diluted and compromised so much that even those who own bikes for transportation have to push them and those who had homes now push belongings from place to place on these bikes. The poverty is grinding and this is a constant motif throughout the book.
