Water
Water is a source of great tragedy for Evie because the loss of her mother. Despite that, she loves the sea, loves water and every time she swims she feels as if she conquered death. The lake at Wyldcliffe provides another source of tragedy connected to the water, since one of the students died there. Out of this tragedy, and out of conquering the fear of water, comes Evie's strength, and the elemental power that belongs to her and that she needs to awaken is that of water.
Night
A lot of the novel's important events take place at night. Night is providing an ominous and secretive atmosphere to the novel. Evie arrives to the school on a rainy night and that is when she meets Sebastian. She exclusively continues to meet him at night and their nightly outings combined with his mysterious aura foreshadow the dark climax of the plot.
Nature
Nature is a part of the atmospheric build-up of the novel, from the lake and sea to the forest which becomes a secret meeting place of the two people whose love is destined for tragedy. The school is secluded and surrounded by forest, which combined with gloomy weather provides an ominous and threatening mood.
