The image of world’s colors
In the addict’s perception the world lacks any colors, and everything seems the same, it is “a world, wherein everything is gray and almost nothing is black.” Such confrontation of gray and black provokes a feeling of despair, as black and gray provoke sad feelings, but for an addict even colors make no difference. Everything is the same, everything is gray.
The imagery of suport
David has studied a lot of researches on the theme of drugs addiction and has come across the Al-Anon’s Three Cs theory. This theory states: “You didn't cause it. You can't control it. You can't cure it.” The image of these three Cs is traced within the entire novel and creates an image of support. (though David accepts the second and the third Cs, he never accepts the first one).
“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”
David tells a lot about his struggle, but his is nothing compared to the Nic’s. His son has come through hardships and difficulties, and when it came to say a single word for forgiveness it turned out to be difficult for him to say. That’s why he attempted to write it.
“Nic begins writing hard, a word, I, two words, am, three words, sorry, writes them again, writes them again, writes them again, writes them again. He cannot, it seems, stop writing them. It is bullshit, a cheap attempt at - it is not bullshit, he is trying with excruciating desperation, which I can feel coming from him, to say something, to get out something that he cannot get out.”
The image attempts to depict what an addict is going through at the moment of clear mind and during recovery. “It's easy to forget that no matter how hard it is for us, it is harder for him.”
Life continues
David’s aim became to help his son, and most of his power is set upon this aim. But at the same time he manages not to lose the image of the world around him, and the image of the fire is a prove:
“We are still nearer the winter edge of spring on this cool and misty May afternoon, the scent of wood smoke in the air — a remnant of the afternoon fire.”
