The symbolic meaning of the apartment building
The apartment building Portico Reeves lives in, he calls a castle. The abundance of doors, and families living behind them, provokes the boy’s imagination, as he comes to understanding that many other worlds exist, and each of these worlds is a life of another person. This castle of Portico is the place where he learns about life.
The cat
Portico has a cat, but its name is changed every day. This symbolizes the absent of stability and becomes another trigger of the boy’s inner conflict.
Superhero – the allegory of interests
Portico decides to become a superhero, Stuntboy, to protect and help others. His desire to be useful shows that his interests and ambitions are not fulfilled, and he is looking for a way to express his potential. Superheroness becomes this pinnacle of his excitement.
