66 pages • 2 hours read
A Reaper at the Gates
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Symbols & Motifs
Forest of Dusk
The Forest of Dusk, also known as the Waiting Place, where lost souls go after death to go into the afterlife, is both a symbol and a motif in A Reaper at the Gates. As a symbol, it represents the oppression of the jinn, who were imprisoned within the Forest, and whose cities, which were in the forest, were destroyed by the Scholar King a thousand years ago. The Forest also spreads throughout the Empire, connecting to all four sides of it. As a motif, the forest emphasizes the corruption which exists in the land; the Empire is successful because of the oppression of the jinn, and the knowledge that the Augurs stole from the jinn.
As the Waiting Place, the Forest of Dusk emphasizes how no one can escape the consequences of their actions. Even after death, the ghosts are judged by their actions; either they get to pass on, or they are punished for their wrongdoings.
Storytelling
Storytelling is an important motif throughout the novel, which represents people’s resilience and their cultural heritage. The Tribes use storytelling to pass down social, historical, and cultural information through the generations. Laia realizes that she can use the stories that the Kehanni of Tribe Sulud tells to learn how to defeat the Nightbringer. The Nightbringer, in response, kills the Kehanni so that the stories die with her, giving him a measure of safety. Elias learns about the jinn’s history through storytelling as well; he touches the walls of a building in the jinn city, and the walls relay the stories that it has witnessed. Storytelling is a part of collective memory, ensuring that histories are kept alive.
Storytelling is also an important motif of resistance to fight against oppression. When Musa asks Laia to inspire Scholars and resurrect the Scholars Resistance, he asks her to tell her story repeatedly: “Every time, I have to tell my story again. Every time, Musa refuses to explain his plan for resurrecting the Resistance” (131). However, Musa’s plan is to let people be inspired by Laia’s story. Laia does the same thing when she is meeting with King Irmand; she passionately retells everything she has survived, which moves the king.
Serric Steel
Serric steel is a symbol of resistance for the Scholars, representing their fight against their oppression under the Empire. Serric steel is mentioned throughout the novel, and only Darin knows how to make it, taught by Spiro Teluman from Gens Teluman. The knowledge of Serric steel is so dangerous and so intrinsically tied to resistance, that Darin was imprisoned and tortured for knowing it. The torture made him think that he forgot how to make it, however, after numerous tries, he manages to make it again. Serric steel takes away the advantage of the Martials, putting the Scholars, Tribes, and Mariners on an equal footing with the Martial army. The value of Serric steel is emphasized several times throughout the book; Laia is able to negotiate with Tribe Sulud because of the Serric steel, and she is able to negotiate with King Irmand with the promise of Serric steel.
The Grain Moon
The Grain Moon is an important motif in the book, which signifies danger and acts as a warning. Every monumental event in A Reaper at the Gates happens by the Grain Moon. Antium falls by the Grain Moon, the Nightbringer gets the last piece of Star by the Grain Moon, and Livia gives birth to Zacharias by the Grain Moon as well. The continued mention of the Grain Moon helps to create tension in the novel while contributing toward the rising action and climax of the book. It also recalls Shaeva’s prophecy predicting pain and loss for all the characters, which also adds to the sense of danger surrounding the Grain Moon.
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By Sabaa Tahir
