72 pages • 2 hours read
Deborah HarknessThe Book of Life
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
The Ouroboros and the Firedrake
The ouroboros, an ancient symbol linked to alchemy, depicts a serpent devouring its tail. This emblem represents the de Clermont family and Matthew, specifically, symbolizing unity and eternity—apt for a vampire. Silver, chosen for its connection to quicksilver, or mercury in alchemy, signifies the transition between life and death, often represented by a serpent.
Conversely, Diana is symbolized by the adaptable firedrake, comfortable in air, water, and fire, reflecting her elemental affinity. Her familiar, Corra, mirrors her emotional state, becoming challenging during times of struggle.
Jack crafts an emblem for the Bishop-Clairmont clan, merging the ouroboros and firedrake into an endless circle. This emblem represents Matthew and Diana’s supernatural powers, their family’s unity amid differences, and symbolizes the alchemical wedding of mercury and sulfur—the philosopher’s stone’s first step. In essence, Jack’s emblem mirrors the union of opposites, just like Diana and Matthew.
Think—and Stay Alive
At the end of Shadow of Night, Philippe gives Diana a crucial task: “Think—and stay alive” (727). This phrase becomes a central motif in The Book of Life, guiding not only Diana but also influencing the actions of other characters throughout the narrative. In a world where emotions often run high, the importance of grounding actions in strategic thinking, rather than letting emotions dictate choices, is a recurring theme for ensuring success.
Ysabeau reveals that Philippe seldom acted impulsively, preferring to let others take risks while he observed and gathered secrets. This approach, she claims, was the key to Philippe’s longevity. Essentially, his motto was to “Think—and stay alive” (1196), emphasizing the importance of rationality over impulsive emotions. Diana grapples with this concept, especially amid many conflicts and heightened emotions.
Diana embraces Philippe’s wisdom when confronted by Benjamin, who holds Phoebe hostage. Although she regrets not taking immediate action, she follows Philippe’s advice and prioritizes her survival. Similarly, when Diana locates the last Ashmole 782, she initially wants to retrieve it from the Bodleian library immediately. However, she heeds Philippe’s words to think strategically, ultimately choosing a safer approach. Likewise, Diana desires to rescue Matthew when she arrives in Poland, conflicting with Fernando’s plan. Her internal mantra, “Think—and stay alive,” guides her to make more prudent decisions that lead to successfully saving Matthew while also confronting and defeating Benjamin and Peter Knox (1633).
Diana is one of many characters who benefit from this approach. Blood rage, a genetic disease affecting vampires, grants increased strength and invulnerability but at the expense of rationality and self-control. Since the Congregation orders the immediate execution of all vampires with blood rage, maintaining emotional control is essential for Jack and Matthew to elude the Congregation and stay alive.
Diana’s witch powers are more potent when fueled by emotions; the same is true for Jack and Matthew when they allow the blood rage to take over. However, this unchecked power comes at a significant cost, jeopardizing their long-term well-being. Philippe’s “Think—and stay alive” mantra may seem limiting regarding raw power. However, it allows the characters to utilize their abilities more judiciously and strategically, ensuring their survival in adversity.
Trees
Throughout The Book of Life, trees symbolize various intersections between the natural and supernatural worlds, represent interconnectedness within families and among different creature species, and symbolize transformations.
Family trees play a vital role in the story, highlighting the characters’ concerns with genetic heritage. The Congregation tracks vampire family trees, called “pedigrees,” while witches emphasize their bloodlines to trace power distribution. These family trees serve as a natural means of tracking lineage but are employed by creatures to monitor supernatural abilities. Chris likens Matthew’s research to “The Tree of Life,” emphasizing his efforts to diagram evolutionary descent.
The mysterious appearance of the Blasted Tree in Sarah’s chimney blurs the lines between the natural and supernatural realms. This enigmatic tree, which behaves similarly to the Bishop’s house before the ghosts’ departure, alternately aids and frustrates the characters. Its presence suggests a connection to the supernatural, as it assists the family in peculiar ways. It behaves almost like the ghosts that haunt the Bishop’s house, marking another intersection between the natural and the supernatural.
Diana’s pact with the goddess to save Matthew’s life involves the sacrifice of an oak tree, symbolizing the crossover between life and death. This event underscores how trees can represent the intersection of the natural and supernatural realms.
One of the missing pages of Ashmole 782 contains an eerie depiction of the Tree of Life, with a trunk composed of human-like figures. Despite its unsettling appearance, this representation underscores the interconnectedness of creatures.
When Diana absorbs the Book of Life, a tree image appears on her back, symbolizing the knowledge she now possesses. This tree signifies the transformation she undergoes and her newfound wisdom.
In The Book of Life, trees are powerful symbols illustrating the interconnectedness between families, creatures, and the natural and supernatural worlds. They mark various intersections within the story, emphasizing the significance of these connections to the characters and their quest for knowledge and understanding.
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By Deborah Harkness
