Death
As more and more deaths happen in the novel (of humans and of various Anthropophagi), more violent imagery involving physical fights, weapons, and murder, as well as imagery surrounding death becomes more common. Death is a common motif in the novel. It creates conflict and violence.
Cannibals
To underscore the gravity of the threat that the cannibalistic Anthropophagi face to Will, Dr. Warthrope, and humanity more broadly, Yancey uses cannibalistic imagery. That includes blood, corpses (who are both whole and in pieces), and food imagery.
Fire
As more deaths occur and changes happen to characters (initially, like the death of Will's parents), fire imagery becomes more common. Fire destroys things, but it also builds and renews things. For Will, the fire changed the course of his life after one destroyed his childhood home and killed his beloved parents.
The Anthropophagi
To create mood and tension in his novel, Yancey uses terror and dread-inducing imagery to paint a vivid picture of the evil Anthropophagi, who are violent cannibals determined to destroy the human race. This imagery evokes fear and tension and horror in readers, each of whom is invariably scared when the Anthropophagi are mentioned.
