A Single Stone

Analysis of Symbolism and Morality in "A Single Stone"

• The novel depicts a society where individuals are expected to make extreme sacrifices for the good of the group.
• The rope used to bind the tunnellers together symbolizes their duty to others and the confinement of their role.
• The Mothers distribute resources based on an objectifying view of worth and hold a position of authority and care in the matriarchal hierarchy.
• The nature of community and duty to others is ambiguous and limited in the village, as seen in Jena's reflections on the slipperiness of the term "we."
• Jena begins to challenge the village's utilitarian morality and resistance the control of the Mothers.
• The death of a bird symbolically reinforces the brutality of the village's sacrifices and triggers Jena's decision to run towards the mountain.
• The fork in the road symbolizes Jena's choice to forge her own path and enter the unknown.
• Berta's death reinforces the Mothers' utilitarian morality and guilt over their actions.
• The aftermath of the mica burning shows the lingering power of tradition and fear in the village.
• The final image of a bird represents Jena's freedom from fear and confinement and hope for the future.
• The novel explores themes of sacrifice, duty, morality, and individualism vs. collectivism.
• Symbolism is used throughout the novel to reinforce these themes, including the rope, birds, and the mountain.