“Lock and Key”
Philips writes, “The benevolent Mr Bellow, a large, jocular man, presided over all the camps, attending to health, education and general welfare of the displaced and the dispossessed. He faithfully promised each internee that they would eventually reach Palestine, but the British quota of seven hundred and fifty persons per month meant that thousands would have to spend weeks, if not years, under British lock and key on Cyprus.” The allegorical ‘lock and key’ underscores the restrictions in place which are intended to restrict the numbers of refugees that are permitted into Palestine. The locking makes it impossible to surpass the established limits.
“Knight in Shining Armour”
Eva elucidates, “He (Gerry) smiles at me, But I know that he is unhappy. I know that he wishes I would open the door for him so that he might deliver his message in a more intimate manner. He wants to be my knight in shining armour. He wants to rescue me. And I suppose I am encouraging him a little in his quest. I see no harm in this.” The metaphorical ‘knight in shining armour’ underscores Gerry’s determination to be the hero in Eva’s life by aiding her to track her sister Margot. Gerry wants to demonstrate that he would unconditionally aid Eva to realize her quest to locate Margot.
