Class Motif
One of the motifs that appears throughout the novel is that of class, something that preoccupies the British as a nation, and something that occupies the residents of Pagford in the story. There is an inherent class divide between the working class inhabitants of The Fields and the middle class inhabitants of the town itself. Most of the crime in the Pagford area stems from The Fields. Most of the drug issues stem from there as well. For this reason, the Pagfordians would prefer that The Fields be re-zoned and made part of the larger city.
Barry Fairbrother is the self-appointed bridge between the working and middle class characters in the book. Having come from The Fields himself, and made a success of his life, he feels that he has moved between the classes, not an easy task, but one he has accomplished with aplomb. He also feels that this is something that is possible for everyone who lives on The Fields and it is his mission to include them in Pagford life. His death is seen as an opportunity to prevent this from happening and to restore Pagford to its "upper middle" designation that many feel has become lost with the inclusion of The Fields in the town's reach..
Drug Addiction Motif
Drug addiction is a motif in the book, not least because the Town Council is looking to close down a local methadone recovery center. However, the issue of addiction is also seen as the catalyst for lives that descend into poverty and crime, and also for the impact drug addiction has on family members of the addicts. Terri Wheedon is the main character whose storyline involves addiction; Terri cares a great deal more about getting drugs than she does about parenting her children, and consequently Krystal, her daughter, is raped by Terri's drug dealer. This is an example in the book of how one person's decision to use drugs has a domino effect on everyone around them.
Rape Motif
There are two rapes dealt with in the book; the first is Krystal's, and she is raped by her mother's drug dealer. This is in part why Barry wants to mentor her and help her get out of the situation she is in through no fault of her own. The second rape that is dealt with occurred over a decade ago; a fourteen year old girl was the victim of incest and was raped by a family member. She became pregnant and the Walls stepped in to save both her and the baby; they adopted Fats despite their own health challenges and issues at the time. The subject of rape is dealt with in the book as part of a larger theme of victimology.
The Ghost of Barry Fairbrother Symbol
When Andrew hacks into the Town Council computer network, he posts negative press about his father under the pseudonym "The Ghost of Barry Fairbrother". This is a symbol of the fact that Barry was an upstanding man and would want someone with similar moral rectitude to take over his seat on the council. The fact that is is his "ghost" who is commenting about the unsuitability of candidates is a symbol of his likely disapproval of his successors.
Living on The Fields Symbol
Having an address at The Fields is a symbol of criminality and poverty. The reality is that in Pagford, the majority of the crime takes place at The Fields. It is a poor, run-down area with a thriving drug and prostitution market, but very little else. It is a symbol of the cycle that keeps most of the residents there trapped and unable to leave and find something better.
Glamor of Poverty Allegory
As a teen, the author admits to wanting to run off to London and live amongst graffiti, broken windows and other signs of degradation, having some romanticized notion that there was a raw, brutal beauty in this kind of environment. This is a feeling that she shares with Andrew Price, who yearns to spend time at The Fields rather than live with his abusive father at home. This notion and the feeling of wanting to escape a difficult childhood is allegorical of the way in which Rowling felt when she was the same age as Andrew.
