Throughout the book, it is mentioned many times that The Child counts everything and there are lots of numbers throughout the book. Do the numbers have symbolic meaning or are they there mostly to give structure to a very empty world?
For example, from the very beginning I thought the concept of 40 prisoners to be kind of odd. Forty just seemed like a very... I don't know... intentional number. My immediate association went to the 40 days of rain during the flood with the ark and Noah... then to the 40 years Moses wandered around the desert... and I think Jesus prayed for 40 days on a mountain... and isn't there 40 days of Lent? the Biblical association with 40 seems to fit the theme of the novel. I know Harpman was Jewish so if we look at the 40 days of rain and 40 years of wandering... Both are acts of God's anger, both are about being stranded and deserted in a barren environment. Do the prisoners represent God's anger? Do the prison guard's sudden, traceless departure represent rapture?
Another number that caught my eye was when they found the first bunker after the 27th day. Most women have their period every 26 to 28 days (I think earlier in the book it's shared to The Child that most women have their period every 28 days). Though it is not how I view periods, some people do see it as a failure to carry life and, though they hope for proof of life, they only find death in every bunker. Do the bunkers represent periods? I know that symbolism kind of falls apart towards the end of the book when The Child wanders alone but I can't help but think there's some significance to the first one being found on day 27.
Like I said, there are a lot of numbers in this book so if you came across any that you felt significant, please share. There was already so much to think about I couldn't really think about the meaning of every number presented... and maybe they don't mean anything. Sometimes the curtains are just blue.
I just finished the book and there is so much to process. Any other observations about the book is appreciated as well!
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