Praying
Many of the characters are religious in this novel and praying represents their hope and desire to survive. Praying offers a comfort for many of the characters and symbolizes a space of consolation despite their dire surroundings. Through praying, the survivors believe they are in direct contact with God and ask for his help to survive their situation.
Cannibalism
In this text, the remaining survivors resort to cannibalism in order to survive. This is a shocking aspect of the text and of the real story this novel is based on. As such, cannibalism in this text symbolizes the extreme actions human beings will take in order to survive, representing the strong human desire to live.
Family
In the novel, the thought of family is something that keeps the survivors going. Family is also a significant aspect of the text as the narrative shifts between focusing on the group of survivors, and their families trying to find them. This novel not only shows the impact disasters like this have on survivors, but also shows the impact on families. After their ordeal, many of the survivors have a changed attitude, realizing what they truly care about. This includes gratitude for their families. As such, family is presented in this text as something to be grateful for, and something to treasure.
