Symbolism

The mountain- Power of nature, structures
symbolic- represents a journey, something to overcome and surpass ,ambition, representing of herself- having to climb a mountain meaning an obstacle, beating the world. their lives-  isolation, intimidation


Water-  cleaning and washing, quench thirst, crucial for survival
          - symbolistic- essence of life, where life began, purity-
 only  piece of purity remaining in the world, hope 
(page 129 'cistern filled with water so sweet' 'nothing in his memory anywhere of something so good') Provokes happy memories- linking to his past- happiness

Music/musical instruments- a way of escape, escape from the monotony and death within the dead world- draws inspiration.
Symbolic- a way of bringing people together, the man makes the boy a flute to apologies. Flute (page 81) 'he'd carved the boy a flute' a
 'perhaps the last music on earth called up from out of the ashes of its ruin'- a funeral song, to commendate the death of the world, final song, eulogy. 'ashes of its ruin'- a song made from the collapse of the world.

The sea- ultimate objective within the novel- end of journey, hope, motivation to get there, end of " graying " scenery, end of monotony. reminder of a past life, calm, tranquil, resting, peace.

The colour grey- lifeless, dull, monotonous, pitiful sombre , 
shows the graying and death within the world, no colour meaning no life no hope.- depressive constraining, lack o bleak, 

Fire- 
'carrying the fire'= fire meaning hope, salvation, the boy carries the fire because he is the new hope, another genreation and is even described as a " god " although it could be took as the fire serving a redmption, in that it is a constant burning of the lost world, a reminder of past times. however a fire cannot burn forever, reference to an ultimate end.

Sight/sightlessness- not being able to see the future, a bleak future, no hope. or being able to see the harsh reality of their surroundings- definitive doom.
 sightlessness -oppressive state of world, disaster, blindness, carelessness, cruelty, forgotten, dull, perspective different people see different things, no sight= no hope, no life, tragedy. (page 250 'they went on in the perfect blackness, sightless as the blind' summary of whole journey, lack of hope, world is black dull depressing, almost delicate and beautiful, sense of no complaint runs throughout novel.

Coca Cola Can- (22)- 'sat looking at a Coca Cola'- astonishment, reminder of past, haunting, a 'treat' luxury, 'its bubbly'- never experienced it, shock, honour. 'I want you to drink it'- reminder of deprivation of Earth, wants to provide his son with some luxuries/presents, make him content, satisfaction etc, savour it last one they will see.
symbolic- savior, luxury item, deprivation of man, appreciation, consumerism- product used day to day