Elma’s Pictures as a Symbol of Women’s Circumstances
The two pictures, which prompt Gordon in his quest of saving the beautiful Elma Heath, play an important role in the development of the plot, and stand as a symbol of women’s circumstances during the latter part of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th. This young woman is portrayed, in those photographs, as a beautiful and yet a mute and passive girl. This was the way in which women were perceived in society, and most importantly the way in which they were expected to act. The concept of the “Angel in the house” was by and large a strong one during the Victorian age. Accordingly, women were required to be beautiful, passive, and silent. At the turn of the century, however, the concept of the “New Woman” came to challenge its predecessor, but the adjustment from one to the other was very slow in spite of the strained efforts of leading female figures in feminist movements. Thus, the photographs of Elma Heath make the contrast between the way in which she was required to behave by patriarchal figures like Xavier Oberg on the one hand, and her real self on the other.
The Lola as a Symbol of Double Dealing
The Lola is one of the names given to Philip Leithcourt’s yacht. This steamer was used for thievery and dishonest deeds. Thus, it stands as a symbol of double dealing and deception. The name and general appearance of the boat are frequently altered throughout the story with the design of misleading people and preventing its identification on the different ports. Although, it looks like a respectable private boat on the exterior, its interior is in truth loaded with different types of fire arms and endless bounties of stolen jewels and money. This is very similar to the state of dishonest individuals, like Philip Hornby, who display a respectable persona and a deceitful character.
The Red Priest – An Allegory
After setting Elma free from the castle of Kajana, it is towards the Red Priest that she directs the steps of her champion in quest of assistance. This individual is depicted in the novel as a secret source of political and religious power. The inclusion of such a character is in fact an allegory to the movement known in Russia as “Renovationism”. For 30 years of social, political, and religious turmoil, this movement was led by reformist orthodox clergy who were called Red Priests, and who attempted to reconcile Christianity with the goals of the Bolshevik state. Thus, the arch of the story, which has to do with the rebellion in Finland and Russia, is in fact an allegory to the real events which took place in these countries back then.
Double Identifies as a Motif of Deception
A large set of characters in the novel display more than one persona and public identity. This is a motif to develop the theme of double dealing and deception. The struggle between reputation and integrity had been a prominent one at the turn of the century. Moreover, hypocrisy and corruption were already among the leading traits of a degenerating English society. Accordingly, this over use of characters, who display more than one side to their respective personalities, is used in the book as a motif to emphasize this societal trait and its outcomes on the long run.
English Advantages as a Motif of Nationalism
Gordon Gregg, the protagonist of the story, is a British subject whose nationality is one of the elements that gave him multiple advantages throughout the story. Even during his encounter with the sinister Baron Oberg in Finland, his nationality had been one of the comforts he still held as a source of power against this villain. In this manner, the advantages which Gordon enjoyed by dint of being a British subject are used in the book as a motif to develop the theme of Nationalism.
