Symbol: The Screaming Staircase
The namesake screaming staircase, which is the big set piece at the end of the novel, is symbolic of evil incarnate. The screaming staircase is responsible for the death and injuries of many people; it is an evil, almost demonic thing that is one of the antagonists of the novel.
Symbol: Lockwood and Co.
Lockwood and Co., Lockwood and Lucy's agency which investigates and destroys the supernatural, is symbolic of the way that people in a capitalistic society capitalize on bad things that happen. In The Screaming Staircase, Lockwood and Co. pop up to capitalize on "the problems," or the emergence of ghosts.
Motif: Lockwood saving the day
Anthony Lockwood, the fearless leader of Lockwood and Co., saving the day is one of the most important motifs in The Screaming Staircase. Because of his intelligence and ingenuity, Lockwood saves the health and lives of the people he works with, including Lucy and George.
Symbol: "The Problems"
"The Problems" are symbolic of the things which haunt London and come out at night, wreaking havoc and killing people. In other words, "the problems" are symbolic of evil.
Symbol: Combe Carey Hall
Combe Carey Hall, the haunted house that Lockwood and Co. go to investigate towards the end of The Screaming Staircase, is symbolic of the final test that Lucy, Lockwood, and Co. must face finishing their mission. It is also a powerful symbol of how homes are personified and turned into a profound threat.
