The Very Big Hole

The Very Big Hole is a symbol of desire. A gaping chasm on the outskirts of the village, the only people to ever fall inside the hole are those corrupted by a burning, ceaseless desire for various women.

The Hare

The hare acts as a symbol for women. Women are continually fought over in this novel. The hare is caught in a trap by either Memel or Mewe, neither can agree on this. The father and son get into a verbal argument over the dead animal, and things soon turn violent.

The War

The war is a symbol for senseless violence. The war is a backdrop for everything that takes place in the novel, including the picaresque, romantic, and fairytale inspired sections. While no details are ever given about the war, it is a symbol of the underlying violence that taints all the...