The Motif of Games

Turton uses the motif of games to contrast with the serious nature of impending murder at Blackheath. The motif of the game is first introduced when Aiden, as Sebastian, wonders what game the man who slipped him the compass and told him to go east is playing. The motif is continued as Anna and Aiden pass the chess piece back and forth, a symbol that both of them are trustworthy. Further, Aiden is frustrated because he feels other characters are not taking their situation seriously. Instead, they are treating it as if it is a game.

There are multiple references that compare what is happening at Blackheath to a game. In most of these, the character making the reference feels as if he is being taken advantage of by the other characters. For instance, Aiden, as Sebastian, says of the Plague Doctor: “I...