The Battlefield
Faulks uses rich imagery to describe the battlefields of WW1, in order to show the horrors that the soldiers faced. For example, in one passage Jack considers how he had "seen his other mate dying in a shell hole, gas frothing in his lungs." This disturbing image reveals the terrible things that soldiers experienced and witnessed during the war, and the impact this had on them after the war ended.
Birds
Birds are a key image in this text and are used to represent a sense of hope and freedom after the war. In the novel, birds are present even in the trenches of World War I, where their singing can be heard by the soldiers. This represents the perseverance of nature, despite the destruction caused by humanity. Interestingly, birds are a source of tension for Stephen, who has frequent nightmares about them. As such, birds are an interesting image in the text and are used to represent optimism despite the destruction of WW1.
The Red Room
The imagery of the red room associates the space with corruption, lust and danger. This is fitting, at this is the place where Stephen and Isabelle's forbidden affair takes place. The room is an abandoned bedroom in the Azaire household, and contains a large red bed. The color red is often used as a symbol for romance and lust, which is used here to represent Stephen and Isabelle's relationship.
During the war, the red room is destroyed: "most of the rear of the house has been destroyed - including the servants' quarters and the red room." This is significant, as it represents the destruction of the relationship between Stephen and Isabelle.
