London
London can be interpreted as an allegory of our dreams and our life. The city is described as shallow, cratered, extinct, which means our dreams are too simple, and our lives are therefore broken and hopeless.
Kor
Kor is a symbol of a mental refuge, a safe place. It is an allegory of the irrational goals that humans pursue to achieve happiness, as real goals have failed. Its effectiveness becomes evident when Pepita sleeps soundly, dreaming of Kor. Arthur remarks that when she is not able to dream about Kor, her sleep is much less peaceful, therefore defending the concept of Kor as a method to stay mentally healthy.
The Moon
The Moon is generally considered a symbol of enlightenment. However, the Londoners try to avoid being exposed to the moonlight, as they rush to get off the streets. Thus, this behavior can be seen as a criticism of human tendencies to avoid enlightenment and therefore progress.
The Kettle
The kettle in Callie's flat serves as a symbol of British values, habits and culture. Callie bringing it "just short of the boil" emphasizes that even in the chaotic times of war she wants to maintain order, which can be understood as an allegory of the British during World War II, who embraced their values and defended them.
Callie's Conversation with Arthur
Callie's conversation with Arthur represents the rejection of 19th-century human ideals and an argument for a new paradigm: When Arthur dismisses Callie's pursuit of real goals to achieve happiness, her ideals are shattered. The deeper meaning is that rational dreams have failed, and humans must now turn to places beyond reality.
