The Sun
When in space for the first time, Ransom is struck by how bright and warm it is, as opposed to his preconceptions of space as cold and dark. The Sun's light and heat radiate throughout the entire galaxy, serving as a representation of divine love. Imagery of the sun subsequently occurs throughout the novel.
Bent
The imagery of something good being "bent" to represent sin and fallenness in the Malacandran vocabulary occurs in many instances throughout the entire novel. This "bending," or "perverting" ("thoroughly turning" in Latin), of goodness produces the evil of the Silent Planet, representing the fallen and sinful nature of humanity, which is a recurring theme in the book and comes up on many occasions.
The Storm
The opening series of scenes, which are the only ones that take place entirely on Earth, is set in the aftermath of a thunderstorm. This storm imagery represents the violence of man's fall, which happened before the action of the novel and yet has a direct and significant impact on its development. The storm therefore represents the darkness and depression that inhabit the Silent Planet.
Alien Beauty
Ransom is struck by the enchanting appearance of Malacandra: its landscape is beautiful despite the starkness of the harandra, and everywhere are examples of truth, goodness, and beauty played out in the lives of the Malacandran inhabitants. This beauty is evident in Ransom's appreciation of his surroundings, and it is consequently one of the most recurrent images in the novel.
