Olympus (Allegory)
Mount Olympus has been considered a home of the Greek gods and goddesses, a sacred place: Olinger high school is an allegory of Olympus. Mighty Zeus, “cloud gathering king of the weather” is, quite obviously, a headmaster. Venus, a goddess of beauty, is a physical education instructor, while her husband Hephaestus is a local machinist. Due to the fact that the gods and goddesses in the Greek mythology are equipped with natural human feelings, Olinger high school is a perfect allegory of Olympus.
An abyss (Symbol)
An abyss is a symbol of despair. When George’s level of despair reaches its limit, he masters all his courage to take “a very great step, for which all the walking in his life had not prepared him”. The abyss is so deep that it “would take an eternity to get there” and as deep and overwhelming as George’s gloom.
Misery (Motif)
George Caldwell is sure that his death would be “the best thing he ever did” for his family. He is ashamed of himself and the fact that he is not able to provide his family with a decent life. According to George, he is “a walking junk heap”. He even recommends his son “to trade in on a new old man”. His lack of wish to continue living his life becomes one of the main motifs of the story.
