It is my belief that the World (or, if you will, the House, since the two are for all practical purposes identical) wishes an inhabitant for Itself to be a witness to its Beauty and the recipient of its Mercies.
The novel begins with one man’s description of his world. The beginning alludes to some form of destruction that led to the extinction of all humankind, save for two living men who inhabit a House that became their world. The narrator describes his daily tasks, exploring the House and looking at its statues, as well as providing food and fuel for fire. This quote alludes to the end and the revelations about the way the House impacts its inhabitants.
The House is valuable because it is the House. It is enough in and of Itself. It is not the means to an end.
The Other orders Piranesi to go to the far and secluded part of the House to extract information for his ritual in search of the Knowledge. After Piranesi accomplishes this task, he is met with a revelation that there is no sacred Knowledge to be uncovered. The House in itself is valuable and important for being what it is. This is a significant message that shows the acceptance of things as they are, and that there shouldn’t always be some hidden clue, a truth behind the truth.
They were all enamoured with the idea of progress and believed that whatever was new must be superior to what was old.
Laurence Arne-Sayles is the definition of a mad scientist who went beyond the moral boundaries in pursuit of knowledge. While wicked and manipulative, often causing harm for no reason, some of his ideas, extracted from the archetype of his character, make sense and are positive in some ways. Such is this idea of progress and the harm of completely neglecting the past.
