However, the light fades as you go deeper down into the layers of the tunnel. Flip, for example, lives where he can mind his own business as he "doesn't care for himself." When he is introduced, it is with a metaphor to darkness. The area in which he lives is a dark abyss, and he feels no need to make anything of himself down there. Therefore, the darkness is a metaphorai for his hopelessness and numbness.
Nov 10, 2009
Light as a Metaphor in The Mole People
Light acts as a metaphor in The Mole People by Jennifer Toth as the more hopeful tenants of the tunnels seem to live closer to the top. The more that light is represented in their description, the more hopeful and proud they seem to be. For example, Bernard lives very close to the surface as every time he creates a fire, he lets the smoke out onto the streets. I feel that the fire he creates can also be considered a metaphorai as is he the character who has the greatest passion for creating an orderly community in the tunnel. Aside from the fire, when Bernard is introduced, it is with a flashlight in a tunnel of darkness. To me, this was a very obvious metaphorai that Bernard creates a "light at the end of the tunnel" for those who live in his community. He creates order and looks over the people living there. Though not all of the character's in Bernard's Tunnel are as proud or hopeful as he is, he tries to show them that they should be thankful for running water and good food. In this sense, Bernard acts as a sense of hope, or a shining light, amongst his community.
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I think you can see this idea further in chapter 23, Jamall's story. The chapter starts out saying that when a friend of Jamall, Cher, died the "sky cried all day." She uses the imagery of a dark, cloudy day to represent sadness. Further down Cher actually uses light as a metaphor herself saying that she is glad it wasn't sunny because it made her feel like she was "missing out on some great wonder that was right before her but beyond her reach." Finally Toth uses the metaphor again when she tells of Jamall leaving for the tunnel. She writes, "Jamall turned his back to the sun and returned to the tunnel." Jamall gave up on his life above ground and chose the dark and hopelessness of the tunnel.
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