River Barrow
At the novel's beginning, the author compares River Barrow's color to stout. The author writes, "In the town of New Ross, chimneys threw out smoke which fell away and drifted off hairy, drawn-out strings before dispersing along the Quays, and soon the River Barrow, dark as stout, swelled up with the rain." New Ross town is blessed with rain and green vegetation, allowing farmers to get good produce. Furlong is one lucky person dealing in the coal and timber business. The color of the river reveals that New Ross never dries, and trees can grow all seasons, ensuring Furlong's business flourishes.
Empty Sack
"The empty sack cannot stand" is a symbolic statement by Mrs. Kehoe. The metaphor denotes that a lot of effort must be put in place diligently for someone to succeed. For instance, Kehoe knows that for her business to stand, she must work hard and ensure her customers are well-served. Similarly, for Furlong's business to stand, he must get involved and ensure everything goes as planned to ensure customers are not disappointed. Therefore, an empty sack refers to laziness, but when hard work is applied, the sack is filled and stands.
Basket
"Moses basket" is a metaphor for the good life that Furlong was subjected to when he was born. The author writes, "The main of Furlong's infancy was spent in a Moses basket in Mrs. Wilson's kitchen, and he was then harnessed into the big pram beside the dresser, just out of reach of the long, blue jigs." Furlong was born and raised in Mrs. Wilson's house, which had every luxury a child could require. Mrs. Wilson accepted Furlong to be raised in her house, ensuring he got all the necessities he needed to survive.
