Healing Powers

Father and Ada’s healing powers symbolize the desire to help others. Despite Father’s partial fear of the villagers, he never appears to consider withdrawing his healing services from the villagers. Only after Father’s death does Ada decide to live in complete reclusion rather than have any interactions with the villagers.

Ground

The ‘Ground’ symbolizes the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Sometimes, when Ada and Father are treating a very ill patient, they temporarily bury the patient in the Burial Patch, which often helps to heal the illness. These dynamics seem to parallel the connections between science and nature. They might also parallel the connections between life and death.

Ada and Samson

Ada and Samson’s relationship symbolizes the potentially overwhelming power of love. Early in the novel, it becomes evident that Ada feels an overwhelming attraction to Samson, although Samson might not...