Symbolism

Symbolism, a literary technique where one object represents another, is used often in this novel. There are a variety of common items used to symbolize aspects of the typical human life, as well as aspects of salvation. The house, for instance is symbolic of the way that many people live their lives. The outside and upstairs portions of the house is clean and white. This represents the way that people generally tend to keep the parts of their lives that other see clean and free from any signs that there is any troubles. The basement of the house, however, is smelly and dirty with confusing hallways that don't match the upstairs. This is representative of the sins, troubles and evil that people often keep hidden behind the clean façade of the their life.

The mirrors found in the basement of the house are another form of symbolism...