The Snow (symbol)
Snow recurs throughout as a powerful symbol of memory and time. Its falling coincides with scenes of reflection or loss. For instance, when Lia sees the photographer's tracks in the snow being covered by fresh snowflakes, it represents the fleeting nature of presence and the ephemeral trace of human lives. Snow embodies silence and revelation, transforming the landscape into something that holds meaning beyond words. The symbolic potency of snow lies in its dual nature. It conceals but also reveals the paths once taken. As the snow falls and covers the footprints, the characters’ past actions and relationships are metaphorically buried, yet remain frozen in time. Snow, therefore, becomes an embodiment of the fragility of human connection.
The Bridge (symbol)
The bridge in the photograph left by the photographer is a significant symbol of transition and connection. Bridges typically represent crossings and connections between separate spaces. This photograph speaks to the intangible nature of relationships and the paths people take over time. It is a representation of life’s journeys as the characters in the novel traverse through loss, longing, and fleeting connection. The image of the bridge looking as if it is suspended in mid-air evokes the idea of disconnection as well as connection. As such, the ambiguity of the photograph amplifies the mysterious nature of human experience.
Photographs (symbol)
Photography symbolizes the tension between permanence and impermanence, reality and illusion. The process of taking a photograph captures a moment in time. However, the act of developing the photograph reveals something more than just an image—it reveals life and death. When the characters examine the photographs, they discover ghostly images, apparitions of the dead, or traces of something that defies understanding. This symbolism touches on the theme of memory, where what is captured is a fragment of something larger. Photographs, much like memory, cannot fully contain the complexities of the past. In the novel, they serve as a reminder of loss and of the desire to hold onto those we love.
Water (motif)
Characters are shown in relation to rivers, such as in the scenes set along the River Escaut or the Gulf of Finland. The constant movement of water reflects how the past flows into the present and shapes the future. Water also functions as an image for the emotional journeys in the novel. It is tied to the ebb and flow of human emotions, including love, loss, and reconciliation. For instance, the sea becomes a space of reflection for several characters, such as when they take solace or find themselves confronting inner truths beside it. The fluidity of water reflects the characters’ fluid states of identity, grief, or transformation.
Light (motif)
Light is another central motif that appears in various forms, including moonlight, sunlight, and the glow of lanterns or fires. It accompanies moments of revelation, healing, or reflection. Michaels uses light to symbolize knowledge, clarity, and sometimes, epiphany. In moments of deep introspection, characters experience the interplay of light and darkness, which symbolizes their internal struggles and the pursuit of understanding. The intricate descriptions of light during dusk or dawn emphasize the novel’s themes of change and transformation.
