The Flock as a Mirror of Humanity (Metaphor)
The flock of sheep serves as a metaphor for human society — diverse individuals, each with strengths and weaknesses, bound together by shared needs and fears. Their investigation reflects how humans collectively search for meaning in a confusing and uncertain world.
The Shepherd’s Death as the Collapse of Order (Metaphor)
George’s murder functions as a metaphor for the loss of stability and certainty. Just as the sheep are thrust into chaos without their shepherd, humans face disarray when traditions, leaders, or guiding principles suddenly vanish.
The Pasture as a Worldview (Metaphor)
The pasture represents a metaphor for the boundaries of perception. To the sheep, it is the entire world, yet stepping beyond it reveals complexity they never imagined. This mirrors how human perspectives are often limited by comfort zones until forced into broader horizons.
Truth is Like Wool (Simile)
In the novel, truth often appears tangled and layered, much like wool. Just as wool must be teased apart and combed to find its thread, the sheep — and by extension humans — must work patiently to untangle truth from confusion.
The Villagers are Like a Puzzle (Simile)
The sheep perceive the villagers as “like a puzzle with missing pieces.” Their behaviors, motives, and secrets never fully make sense, emphasizing the fragmented way outsiders interpret human complexity.
Curiosity is Like a Gate (Simile)
For the sheep, curiosity is described as being “like a gate left open.” Once pushed beyond their comfort, they wander into uncertain and dangerous terrain, mirroring how curiosity can both liberate and endanger.
