The seven crosses
The seven crosses at the center of the novel are one of the most striking examples of imagery in the novel. Crosses, which are typically associated with Jesus' crucifixion by the Romans in the Bible, evoke feelings of horror and death in the context of The Seventh Cross. As the camp commandant finds and ultimately kills the seven prisoners who escape his camp, imagery surrounding crosses become more prevalent in author Anna Seghers' novel. They are emblematic of the Nazis' cruel, punitive methods of punishment for people who they feel have wronged them.
The dark forest
The novel frequently describes the dense, dark forest through which Geoge Heisler and the other prisoners escape, creating tense and mysterious imagery. This imagery represents not only a potential refuge for the embattled prisoners but the unknown that lies outside the concentration camp.
Trains
There is recurring imagery of trains and railway tracks throughout the novel. Initially, trains and railway tracks represent hope and the potential for escape for the prisoners at the camp. However, they quickly come to represent danger. Not only did Nazi soldiers heavily patrol trains, but they also use them to transport more prisoners to concentration camps.
The empty seventh cross
At the end of the novel, the imagery of the empty seventh cross (meant for George Heisler, who successfully escapes the Nazis) carries significant weight. It signifies George's resistance and victory over Hitler and his oppressive Nazi regime.
