The Tollbooth (Symbol)
The tollbooth is not simply a literal object that Milo passes through. It is also a larger symbol for passage, transition, and moving from one world to another. Milo begins his journey by paying his small fee and passes through the quaint but important box. Tollbooths were ubiquitous around the time of the novel's writing, and they loomed large as a significant point of transition. Moving through them brought about excitement, curiosity, and in some cases, apprehension.
Learning (Allegory)
This novel is similar to the great allegory Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan in 1678. All of the places Milo journeys to are representations of important concepts, including Wisdom, Ignorance, Conclusions, Expectations, Illusions, and Reality. He meets characters who embody Letters, Numbers, Sounds, Discord, Time, Spelling, and more. Milo isn't just journeying through a specific place; he is making his way through learning as a whole. Learning is the journey here.
Gifts (Motif)
Milo receives several significant gifts from people throughout his journey, which, as discussed in the analyses, is a very clear example of the classic hero's journey. He receives words from Azaz, a telescope from Alec, sounds from the Soundkeeper, and a pencil from the Mathemagician. These gifts are meaningful as well as useful, and help Milo in tough times. They also reinforce the theme of the book, which is that learning, thinking, seeing, and listening are valuable and fulfilling.
Tock (Symbol)
Tock is a watchdog who symbolizes time. He encourages Milo not to waste it and certainly not to kill it; he keeps the journey moving and offers advice when it has stalled or become problematic. As writers for the university literary site poictesme.com note, "Tock is the reminder that time is passing by, by continuously making a ticking noise. His whole existence, following his name, symbolizes time, and he, unlike every other character, never gives Milo a gift. His presence is a gift in itself."
The Pencil (Symbol)
The Mathemagician's staff, and the smaller version he gives Milo as a gift, are pencils for a reason. The pencil symbolizes creativity, ideas, discourse, dialogue, exploration, learning, and more. The pencil opens up worlds and gives way to freedom and imagination.
