Metaphor for Possibility
Ignazio, Asterios’ stillborn twin brother, appears in certain parts of the story to narrate portions from his point of view. Being Asterios’ twin he is visually similar to him but that is where the similarities end. Unlike his brother there is no-nonsense directness about him as well as a pronounced lack of arrogant condescension. He conducts himself much like a businessman rather than an architect, planning business meetings and making client calls to plan out projects. Another very clear departure from his living sibling is that Ignazio’s works become actual edifices. His manner, his bearing, his vast difference from his brother makes him a very clear metaphor for possibility. Ignazio embodies not just how he could have been had he survived; he actually embodies how Asterios could have been had he made a couple of different decisions in his life.
Metaphor for Humility and Divine Presence
The lightning striking his apartment, the drunken assault at the bar, and the asteroid that comes hurtling from space that presumably kills both him and Hana are not just literary Deus ex Machina that serve to push the plot forward. These natural phenomena/twists of fate are metaphors for humility as all of these serve as catalysts that uproot Asterios from his position of power. Interestingly, Asterios is also an avowed atheist, and all these natural disasters that befall him are used by both his mother and Hana to remind him that there are higher forces at work in his life; as such they also serve as metaphors for the divine presence that he blatantly mocks.
Metaphor for Classic Tragic Hero
Asterios himself is a metaphor and an allusion to both Greek mythological references as well as a nod to the classic Greek tragic hero. His last name is an abbreviation and an allusion to the mythical cyclops, Polyphemus, blinded by the hero Odysseus. Similar to his namesake Asterios too is blind in a manner of speaking. He largely devoid of the ability to perceive things, particularly the emotional needs of his long-suffering wife as well as his own considerable shortcomings. Later on this allusion becomes even more pronounced when he loses an eye to a drunken assailant. Like the Greek tragic hero Asterios also possesses a considerable amount of hubris.
Visual Metaphor for Asterios’ Character
The author/artist of the graphic novel makes clever use of both the visual representation and color scheme as metaphors. A prime example is his rendering of Asterios. Being a self-centered, condescending, stubborn man he is drawn with straight lines and hard acute angles, a visual representation of his hard, unyielding character and his pointed opinions about everything. He even makes it a point to draw him using blue lines, an allusion to his profession as an architect, breaking his form down to geometric figures and patterns to emphasize his “hardness”, especially when he starts to enter into long-winded, design babble intended not to promote learning but showcase his knowledge of architecture.
Visual Metaphor for Hana’s Character
In contrast to Asterios is Hana’s visual representation. She is a sensitive, warm, soft-spoken, and genuinely likable character. She, in similar fashion to Asterios, is drawn to represent these characteristics: Hana is drawn using soft curves and depicted with comically large eyes that serve to emphasize her inability to act maliciously. Like Asterios she also has a corresponding color palette. She is drawn with red, rough crosshatches when she becomes emotional but drawn with purple lines when she is in agreement with Asterios.
