The symbolism of school
By analyzing this Confession, the student must reflect on what it means symbolic that Torless is himself a student. Torless's purpose in school is to learn something, so the novel's primary analysis naturally begins by asking what did Torless learn? Is this just a confession of guilt? Or is this confession a religious confession akin to Augustine of Hippo? As a reflection of his life lessons, the book seems to be about Torless's discovery that shame warps people into sexually violent and competitive people.
The voluntary rape victim
Basini is a foil for Torless. Basini instigates his own misfortune. Like Torless, he is passive, but when Torless realizes that Basini's sexual abuse by the two bullies is somewhat voluntary, then suddenly Torless is sent spiraling into self reflection. Is his friendship with Beineberg and Reiting also an attraction to sexually violent bullies? The symbolism of a voluntary rape victim is certainly a hint that the meaning of this book is psychologically sublime. In terms of psychology, we are in the shadowy domain of archetypal symbolism.
Torless's participation
Torless is happy to have sex with a boy. He has spent his entire adolescent consciousness repressing his sexuality, but now, within the context of forced rape, he finds himself able to have sex with someone that he is attracted to. His sexual relationship with Basini is a valid sexual experience because Basini proves that it is voluntary. He gives consent to Torless and participates with him. The duality of this rape setting and the awakening of Torless's sexuality is fodder for many, many essays.
The injustice
Society is symbolized in the lack of justice for Basini as a rape victim. Yes, it seems that Torless and Basini might have a sexually complicated situation on their hands, but as far as Beineberg and Reiting—they are simply rapists and bigoted homophobes. The injustice is symbolic, because Basini and Torless are both found guilty of crimes while the two bullies and rapists get away scot-free. The injustice is clearly a symbol for society's historical failure to protect sexually diversity.
The exile
The exile is a wonderful symbol in the book. For Torless to get kicked out boarding school is a symbolic mark of shame. Like the marked murderer, Cain, he will carry shame throughout his life, but the reader knows because of dramatic irony that Torless has been on a journey of becoming himself, and that confrontation of shame and rejection makes his exile all the more ironic. To Torless, it is a comment on his self, but to the reader, it is an artistic way of kicking him out of the Eden of youth and innocence and into the truth of one's own self as an experienced adult. He has "finished his education."
