Metaphor for wealth
It becomes obvious from the second chapter that Stephen suffered because there was a class division between himself and some children who lived on the same street as he did. In spite of this, Stephen used to spend a lot of time with a boy named Keith who was wealthier that Stephen and his family. Every time Stephen would go to Keith’s house, he would marvel at the art pieces that were displayed inside Keith’s house Stephen would take the time to look at them and analyze them. For Stephen, the pieces of art were a metaphor for wealth since they represented something Stephen and his family would never be able to afford and because they were things that had no practical value whatsoever.
Loyal squire
In the third chapter, Stephen thinks about the relationship he has with Keith. Stephen then compares himself with a loyal squire who would do anything to serve his master. The comparison is important because it shows just how affected Stephen was by the social hierarchy and how even though he was just a child, he was fully aware of the place he had in the world and in society in general.
Doubts and germs
In the fifth chapter, Stephen is discovered by Barbara who makes him question his friendship with Keith. Barbara asks him why he is still friends with Keith and makes him understand that no one else likes Keith. Those doubts Barbara planted inside Stephen’s mind were compared by Stephen with germs, dangerous and infections. The comparison had the purpose of showing just how sensible Stephen was and how easy it was for his faith to be affected by someone else’s ideas.
Metaphor for adulthood and growing up
The tunnel is an important element in the novel, mentioned by Stephen. The tunnel is the place where they boys believe Keith’s mother meets with other spies and thus it is portrayed as being a dangerous place, meant only for adults. The tunnel however has a deeper meaning and is also used here as a metaphor to suggest Stephen’s development and his move into adulthood. As a child, he is someone who is stuck in the tunnel but as an adult, he managed to pass through it on the other side, where more tunnels await him.
The privet
Another important metaphor in the novel is the private the boys used to hide in as children. The private was linked to Stephen’s childhood memories and every time he smells their scent, he is transported into the past and faced with his past once more. Because of this, the privet is used here as a metaphor for childhood and innocence.
