Motif of internal conflict
The narrator is seen to have very many instances of internal conflict. These conflicts are about natural phenomena and the philosophy that humans can learn from natural phenomena. For example, in the chapter Living Like Weasels, the narrator analyzes the simple life of a weasel. The weasel only goes out to hunt its food and is not worried about anything extra apart from food unlike human beings who are preoccupied with having excess. The internal conflicts of the narrator are intended to encourage the reader to think about natural phenomena and understand the narrator’s thoughts about its application in human life.
Motif of story within a story
In the novel, the narrator interjects the main story which is the analysis of natural phenomena with other stories. The stories include the story of polar explorers in the North and South Pole and their dangerous experiences there that resulted in their deaths. Another story is of a Catholic Church where parishioners fired their priest because he insisted that the congregation shake hands with their enemiesIn the novel, the narrator interjects the main story which is the analysis of natural phenomena with other stories.
Symbol of Peace
In the narrator’s church shaking hands is a symbol of passing peace to one’s neighbor. It is a way of showing forgiveness for the wrongs committed against a person. It also symbolizes wishing another person well.
Allegory of the canary in the cage
The narrator uses an allegory to explain the conditions of gold miners in South Africa and South Dakota. The narrator describes a live canary in a cage who has no option but to stay there for it is fed by its owner. This allegory describes the conditions in which gold miners are caged by the economic system. Their working conditions are barely bearable because of the intense heat yet they have to go to work to get their paychecks.
Allegory of Lichens
Lichens are used as an allegory to describe the Crab Nebula. The lichens do not show any sign of growth, they are the same size yet their cells keep dividing. This is similar to the Crab Nebula which has been exploding for millennia yet its size has not increased nor decreased.
