Forest

The forest (known to represent danger in other works of literature such as Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood) symbolizes the grave peril threatening all of the characters in the book. Tony becomes injured and ultimately dies in the forest after spending much time living in the elements. Mira, Shelley, and the other members of Birnam Wood embrace its remoteness, not realizing that the isolation contributes to their deaths. Lemoine also meets his end on the farm, believing that the farm and the forest provide him cover and that he is indestructible. It is not a coincidence that all of the characters who venture out into the forest meet their demise.

Rare-Earth Elements

Catton displays the greed that can accompany the power and wealth of billionaires through the rare-earth elements in the novel. Radioactive rare-earth elements are difficult to find, highly limited...