Dogs
Dogs show up frequently throughout the novel, usually representing Christopher’s safety. This symbolism is particularly appropriate because dogs are often meant to protect the people around them. This symbol goes deeper than the symbol…
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Cars
Cars symbolize the private order that Christopher puts on the world to make it intelligible to him. Under Christopher’s rules of his own creation, the colors of the cars that he sees on his bus…
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Maths A Level
The Maths A level is an exam that British students take as a step towards qualifying for university study. Throughout the book, the A level represents Christopher’s dreams for his future. He wants to…
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Sherlock Holmes
Throughout the book, Sherlock Holmes stands for Christopher’s personal values of logic and mental detachment. Christopher admires Holmes because he uses logic to solve mysteries and never gives in to the temptation of supernatural…
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Stars
Christopher often looks up at the stars, especially in emotionally difficult situations. The stars make him feel small because the universe is so large, and they allow him to imagine that he’s out in space…
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Swiss Army Knife
Christopher carries his Swiss Army Knife everywhere he goes, often clutching it in his pocket on his journey to London. The knife makes him feel safe, because he knows that if anyone tries to attack…
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