Impressive abbey
In the first day, William and Adso arrive at an abbey that has no name. The fact that the abbey has no name means that it was not important enough to get a name. Despite this, Adso describes the abbey and how it looks magnificent in comparison with the other buildings. Adso also notes that the appearance of the abbey made him feel reverence towards God. The image of the abbey is important because it shows the power religion had in the people’s lives during those times and how many felt closer to God just by looking at a building that was supposed to represent him.
The translator in the barrel
On their second day at the abbey, the body of the translator is found dead, outside, and in a barrel filled with pig’s blood. The image of the translator in the barrel of blood is important because it is used here to show just how dangerous the environment in which William and his servant arrived and how careful they needed to be about what they talked and whom they talked with.
Seductress
During the events described in the fourth day, Adso sees the girl he slept with being accused of witchcraft and being sentenced to die. Adso tries to say something in her defense since she does not speak the language the other spoke but is forbidden to do so by William who claims that Adso’s infatuation with the girl proved that she was indeed a witch. Thus, William portrays every girl capable of making a man fall in love with her as being a witch.
Burning abbey
One of the most important images is of the burning abbey at the end of the novel. The monks, William and Adso all look at the abbey as it burns and they realize that there is nothing they can do to stop the fire. The image is important because it represents the climax of the book and because it represents cleanliness. At that point, the abbey and the corrupt people living inside it are all purged by their sins through the fire that eventually destroyed their home.
