Janus - 3. Symbolism in the Story

I had to dabble in symbolism. The fires and the matches. I touched on this in Hound at one point. Ethan contrasts three types of fire preferring the wood fire he shared with Peter in the northern woods to the gas and electric fires. In Janus, the symbolism is worked throughout the story and helps the reader to decide the source of the final text message Michael receives. I wanted that to be ambiguous, Scott or Lauren? I think readers conclude it was from Scott. He has the advantage of being last and using the third match.

The first used match is Kara. That fire has burned out. The second match is Lauren and the third Scott. Michael likes to build perfect fires (a trait of mine). The fire kindling is symbolic for a successful relationship. He builds the lonely fire in his back yard. The first match was not for this new fire and Michael fails to light it with his second match despite his care. The second fire is started by his host. It is a successful fire I suppose, but it is kindled with chemicals. The party host Mark applies a Tiger torch to the wood, people contribute spirits from their drinks. The party is awash in strong drink and it fuels the minor orgy in the basement. The implication is that Lauren had sex with Michael because she was drunk. She is also implicated in the general party culture of Vimy that Michael rejects. That is the basis for their relationship. The third fire is built for Michael by Scott, who apparently can build a fire Michael can approve of. Scott builds the fire and Michael provides the successful match. They are both fussy fire builders.