The Spiked Tentacle

As the man seeks to escape the large, spiked tentacles that fill his country, it becomes apparent that the tentacles are symbolic of disease and plague. The tentacles are wrapped around all of the houses and buildings in the country, and the empty streets indicate that people are thus being forced to stay indoors. The tentacles literally plague the city and, just as a disease does, threaten to harm those who come too near. This symbolism is important because disease and plague serve as an example of one of the many conflicts that immigrants may seek refuge from.

The Origami Bird

The origami birds that are seen throughout the novel not only symbolize the man’s culture, but becomes a symbol of culture in general. Because the origami bird is something particular to the man’s home country, he finds comfort in its familiarity...