Lava

Before the novel even begins, the cover photograph (taken by Carson) sets the tone with its beautiful yet static grey volcanic rock. The novel's precursor, Autobiography of Red, featured a volcano on the cover (again, designed by Carson), suggesting that passion could erupt at any moment and change the characters’ lives forever. In Red Doc>, however, that lava has since erupted and solidified, suggesting that any emotional upheavals, good or bad, have already passed and the characters are now stuck in a kind of emotional purgatory. They have, effectively, outlived their myth.

Books

Books are frequently used as foils for the characters inner demons. G's struggles are reflected and clarified through Proust and Kharms, and even Ida refers to a book called You'll Never Be Lost Again, with chapters entitled "You Are Here" and "Tools and Attitude." This book literally refers to having a good sense...