Creatures

The creatures the characters discover are symbolic of the other. Although these creatures have similar intellectual, emotional, and technological capacities to those of the two individuals, they regard them as inferior. The author uses their discriminatory perception and handling of the creatures to comment upon social hierarchies.

Brains

The brains of the creatures the characters probe are symbolic of intelligence. Although the brains are capable of producing similar functions to those of the characters, because they are made out of different matter, the characters disbelieve their capacity. These brains, although composed of meat, are in fact equal to those of the two individuals.

Universe

The Universe in which the characters reside is symbolic of the global stage. The author uses the characters' explorations of the Universe as an allegory for colonialism. Indeed, the ways in which the characters interact with the other planets and regard other...