Rain

At the beginning of the novel, the author introduces rain as a symbol of despair and emotional instability. In the main square, it is a rainy day and a crowd of people gather to mourn the dead. A man with a microphone says, “This rain is tears shed by the souls of the departed” (14). And as Dong-ho senses the rain on his skin, it gives him goose bumps: “the chilly rainwater, which has crept inside the collar of your uniform, soaks your vest as it trickles down your back” (14).

Nature

Kang references nature throughout the novel as a silent witness to the acts of violence committed against the people of Gwangju. Trees and flowers represent an escape from the harsh reality of the human world. Dong-ho's mother and Jeong-dae visualize nature in their desperation to calm their minds.

The National Anthem

The national anthem symbolizes the...