The Prison (Symbol)
The prison becomes the symbol of perverted civilization. In the "natural state" man was free: the Huron used to say what he thought and do what he wanted. Civilization by the whole structure of its life contradicts this natural freedom of man. Freedom is in danger everywhere: men are imprisoned in the Bastille, women are buried alive in monasteries (also a kind of “prison”). The Huron says: “I am born free as the air,” but now he is in fetters without knowing the reason why.
The Talisman (Symbol)
“Two little portraits, poorly executed, and tied together with a greasy string” was the Huron’s talisman, which he received from his nurse and did not part with since his childhood. The nurse said that he would be happy wearing this talisman and to never take it off. But the Huron decided to thank the people who treated him well, and took it off to present the abbot Kerkabon and his sister with it. It was at this point when all the misfortunes happened to the good-natured Indian. The talisman really was a symbol of happiness for him, and when he parted with it, his happiness left him to the cruel realities of society.
Enlightenment (Motif)
In prison, the Huron joins society and turns from an “animal” into a man. At this moment, he becomes the positive hero of the story. He is no longer his previous self: his posture, tone, and way of thinking completely change. Whereas he was previously unknowing in life and detached from everything, now he is a person who inspires reverence. In a word “the simple-minded” has ceased to be simple-minded. Voltaire is convinced that civilization brings with it not only evil, but also good. The history of the Voltaire character is not the degradation of the personality, but his growth.
