Worms
The most significant symbol in the novella, the discussion about the worms, is what begins it. Worms symbolize dread and illness, unease, discomfort and decay. They are used in reference to the illness that plagued David and the animals that died at the farm. David asks of Amanda to remember when the worms first came to life, meaning when the illness that plagued her and Nina started. From the physical symbolism of disease, worms could be interpreted as symbolism of the psychological decay, of paranoia.
The poisonous water
The poisonous water that kills Omar’s precious horse and fatally infects David is symbolic of the dangers of pesticide, which is said to have been the author’s inspiration. The consequences of the poison liquid are lethal, and at the end the focus on the silence of Omar’s farm indicates that the poison eradicated all life.
David
David is a significant character who also has a symbolic meaning in the novella. He could be interpreted to symbolize a menacing force, which endangers all around. He could also be interpreted as the personified death as he is seen guiding the animals into death, and at the end, he guides Amanda into death as well.
The rope
Amanda describes her rescue distance from her daughter Nina as a rope that connects them. As the novella progresses, and Nina grows endangered after the encounter with David, the rope pulls on Amanda and shortens the rescue distance. At the end, as Amanda is about to die, she feels the rope fall from her, but still senses its presence before David gives her a one last chance to save Nina, who is revealed to have transmigrated into David’s body. The rope therefore symbolizes the mother’s connection and the need to protect her child at any cost.
