Art (symbol)
Art is a symbol of “vanity.” It came to Herrick of a sudden that “he too must leave upon these walls the memorial of his passage.” He “paused before a clean space, took the pencil out, and pondered.” “Vanity, so hard to dislodge,” awoke in him. Herrick felt that changes were coming, “whether good or ill he could not say.” The man was simply afraid of moving on, so his mark on that wall meant a lot to him. Herrick wanted to be remembered, he didn’t want his disappearance left unnoticed. He knew that it was “vanity,” but he couldn’t care less.
The Island (allegory)
The Island is an allegory of hope for the better future. “Throughout the island world of the Pacific,” “scattered men” of many European races and “from almost every grade of society” carry “activity.” Some of them “prosper” whilst some of them “vegetate.” Some “have mounted the steps of thrones and owned islands and natives.” Others “again must marry for a livelihood.” The hope for the better future proves to be fruitless. The island can’t work miracles. This Paradise turns out to be just a picturesque place, so its “less pliable, less capable, less fortunate, perhaps less base” inhabitants continue lacking “bread.”
Falling down (motif)
Herrick was sinking “into the coma of despair.” The time and numerous misfortunes “had changed him.” He told himself no longer tales “of an easy and perhaps agreeable declension.” Herrick “proved himself incapable of rising,” and he now learned by experience that he “could not stoop to fall.” However, it would be a terrible mistake to claim that Herrick was that resigned. He looked on upon his own “misfortune with a growing rage, and sometimes wondered at his patience.” “I have no pride, I have no heart, no manhood,” he criticized himself.
