Epic imagery
The epic imagery of the novel is true from the first time the reader sees the title of the book. Noah is not a free association in this novel; the novel is in fact a substantive reflection on Noah's story and the epic nature of human experience. But, instead of finding the substance of the novel in the normal ideas, there is a creative twist. The five imaginary narrative sibyls use "Mrs. Noah's" life as the fodder for epic considerations on fate and the value of human experience. Mrs. Noah is an epic character not because she does epic things, but because she is an epic thing, embedded in an epic narrative. The imagery is strengthened as Mrs. Noah realizes her potential.
Venice imagery
The Venetian setting of the story is juxtaposed with ancient nomadic times from Ancient Mesopotamia. Both settings have rivers in common as well as a proximity to the ocean. In fact, Venice is a suitable imagery for comparison and contrast because there are legitimate concerns about Venice's future. The city already deals with the threat of floods, but since Venice is so old, beautiful, and culturally rich as a port city, the flood is seen for the true weight of its tragedy. No one wants to see Venice underwater.
Jewish imagery
To properly analyze the Jewish influence in the book, one must remember that by alluding to this Jewish legend, the author of The Book of Mrs. Noah decides to cite ultimate authority in her book. She is commenting on the bottom layers of the 'Jenga tower' that is Western culture. Her comment? That Jewish literature properly communicates an epic quality of the human experience, but with too much focus on men so that the naturally epic quality of human life in the female mode is implied in a way that is often ignored by men. In other words, the use of Jewish influence makes the imagery of this book a kind of Kabbalistic reflection on gender.
Water and divinity
To see a flood is concrete imagery, but to see a flood so devastating and epic that it makes the viewer claim God sent the flood because he was angry—that is to attribute divine attachment to a concrete imagery. The consequence of that association is that flooding becomes a natural symbol for the will of God. Having enough water to drink means that God has decided to provide, but drowning means God has decided to take life away. This makes water—a natural symbol for chaos—into a domain of order. Technically, there is an order to judgment, but it might not be an order that humans enjoy. This epic and ancient imagery cuts to the core of what water represents in the human experience.
