Motif: Churches
Churches and other places of worship are a motif throughout the book. Even when Robin is still bedridden at his family home, he is able to ascertain what time of day it is by listening to the bells of St. Mary Le Bow Church. He then moves temporarily to the monastery, where his entire day follows the pattern of the monks' worship and service. As Robin travels up north to the castle of Sir Peter, they encounter churches in multiple instances, staying overnight in an abbey and even resting under trees whose branches form what looks like a Gothic cathedral. Approaching Lindsay, they also spot the church behind the castle before seeing the castle itself. The book begins with the sound of church bells and it ends with Robin and John sounding the bells in order to signal Sir Hugh's soldiers to conquer the Welsh army.
Symbol: The Door in the Wall
The titular door in the wall is a symbol that is weaved throughout the story, coming primarily from the teaching imparted by Brother Luke to Robin. It is an image that represents that, even when faced with challenges—walls placed in front of one's path—there are always opportunities—doors in the wall—that can be found, allowing one to pass through their hardship. This symbol is used as a way to inspire Robin to stay in good spirits and not get downhearted about his disabled legs. The door is also mentioned by Sir Peter when Robin is unsure of how he can fulfill his duties as a page. Robin discovers many "doors" despite his handicap, such as his craftsmanship and intelligence. The greatest door, however, is the courage that he shows when he ventures out of Lindsay to save the English—a moment in which Robin actually literally passes through a door in the wall of the castle.
Motif: Music
Music accompanies Robin wherever he goes, whether he is singing in the choir of St. Marks' monastery or listening to the songs of John-go-in-the-Wynd. The learning of carols and the building of his own harp are important activities that help Robin recover and feel like he can participate in life once again. It is the "mournful and slow" tune of John, played on his harp, that alerts the shoemaker to help them cross the wall back into the castle. And in the final scene of the story, Robin asks to sing a Christmas carol in front of the King and Queen, right after he has been awarded the crown of jewels.
Motif: Cross
The cross is a motif that appears throughout the novel. Besides being a religious symbol, the cross represents the way in which Robin learns patience, as he spends much time whittling soft wood to make a small cross to hang above his bed at the monastery. The cross travels with him to his uncle's castle and he hangs it above his bed there to remind him of all that he has endured. Robin has constructed his own crutches out of wood in the same way that he has whittled his cross; in this way, a parallel is drawn between the crutches as salvation for his physical life and the cross as salvation for his spiritual life.
Symbol: The Mist
Misty weather features frequently into the story. Robin, John, and Brother Luke pass through mist when they journey to Lindsay. Mist is also the catalyst for the conflict between the town of Lindsay and the Welsh army. It is the mist that gives the enemy the impetus to try to take over the castle. Robin, in his quest to save the castle, must venture out into this foggy atmosphere, not knowing how he will fare. In this sense, the mist represents the unknown destiny that one must confront with bravery. This is a lesson Robin learns generally in the book as he comes to accept that he does not know if he will ever recover from his disability or not: despite not being able to see, Robin chooses to go into the mist anyway, facing the mysterious future with a sense of trust and optimism.
