The burnt down church
The image of the burnt down church is among the first important images in the novel. The reason why it is important is because it makes clear from the beginning that the world in which the characters live is far from being a peaceful one. Instead, it is marked by violence and pain and is a tense situation which makes the rest of the characters feel always on guard.
Young Máel Dúin
Máel Dúin is portrayed in two different ways in the novel, one as a an immature child and the second as a grown man, resembling the image of his father. The image of the young Máel Dúin is important here because once it is compared with the image of Máel Dúin as an adult, it shows just how much he grew and developed.
Fearless leader
Ailill Ochair Aghra is described in the story as the ultimate leader, someone who is powerful and has the capability of leading a large number of people effortlessly. Ailill Ochair Aghra is an important character because his image influences others and the way in which they live their life. Ailill Ochair Aghra is seen as the ultimate example and because of this he is used here as the image portraying the perfect leader.
Life at the palace
The characters in the story all live at some point or another in the palace. This place is portrayed as being the epitome of safety, the one place where everyone can live in peace and do never fear the outside world. This picture is also reinforced by the fact that none of the characters come to any harm inside of the palace. Instead, every time a character suffers it happens to be in the outside world, far away from the protective walls of the imperial home.
