Fire has been used as a symbol of destruction by Butler throughout the novel. Arsonists rage throughout the cities addicted to pyro, a drug that makes people want to burn everything in sight. This is a powerful symbol that I believe Butler uses because it is a natural element being used by humans for demolition and destruction. Lauren's neighborhood has just been burned down, leading to her fleeing with Zahra and Harry. Do you guys find any other meanings behind this use of fire in the novel?
Someone pointed out that this book directly references climate change, so there's a sort of parallel in terms of people on pyro while the world burns. I hadn't thought of that! Plus there's also the phoenix-arising-from-ashes metaphor, which is apt.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on these blog posts -- you've given me a lot to think about!