The document discusses themes from the novel such as humanity starting anew after a nuclear war, the superiority complex of those from the bunker versus the community, and rapid evolution of humans into new subspecies. It analyzes characters like Simon and sees Laura as symbolizing compassion instead of Simon's initial disgust. The community is described as deeply religious but in a positive way, and suggests nuclear war was part of a plan to allow mankind to begin again rather than end.

2.  Bunker‟s technological stance no help
 “…the seams had rotted long ago…” p.121
 “…tatters of his white suit…” p.121
 “…scratches on his plastic visor…” p.121
 All this technology is old – noone knows how
to preserve it!
◦ Should have let some cleaners in?

3.  All their fancy gear, noone to keep it A-grade
 Symbolic of the bunker – stuck in their
ways, degrading, not adapting
 No efforts made to „make‟ or adapt new
technology, instead a desperate attempt to
keep everything as it was

4.  Much like the phoenix rising from the ashes,
the world is starting fresh
 Raising huge stones – Stonehenge?
 “…the nuclear war had not marked the end of
civilization, but the beginning…” p.131
 The nuclear bomb caused the world to start
anew – always difficult
 Dinosaurs vs. mammals (ice age)

5.  “You have no right to destroy any living
thing!” p. 124
 Consider all life to be precious
 Nuclear war has caused them – they will never
repeat that mistake!
 “We can share it… we don‟t need to fight or
kill!” p. 162

6.  The community are deeply religious –
however they only follow the good aspects!
 “God looked on the earth and saw it was
wicked” – p. 137
 “We build cathedrals” – p.132
 “It was part of God‟s plan… calender began
55 years ago with the purge of fire” p. 131
 Noah‟s ark!

7.  Those in the bunker consider themselves to
be “superior” to those in the community
 “Simon himself (was) convinced he was
superior to the weavers, and crafters, and
fishermen…” p.131
 What makes someone „superior‟?

8.  An extremely evolved form of human –
perfectly adapted to the new conditions
 Simon looks down on them – finds them
repulsive
 Treats them as if we‟d treat a talking
monkey?
 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/
04/080417112433.htm proof rapid evolution
happens!

9.  Homo sapiens only living species in the Homo
genus
 We adapted!
 Homo superior „takes over‟
◦ Long white „fur‟
◦ Pin-prick pupils
◦ Telekenesis

10.  Homo superior need something from Homo
sapiens – their technology
 Have figured out how to live, now need to
gain knowledge
 No more stupid wars – peace on earth?
 Homo sapiens may have destroyed Earth, but
are helping pave way forward!

11.  Simon is seen as an „outsider‟ – he is the
weirdo!
 Comes from a violent, stupid species
 “Once upon a time all people were like
him/they were… dangerous
collectively/intelligent creatures don‟t commit
genocide” p. 141
 Who is the mutant?

12.  Part 1 – young, mature, frightened
 Part 2 – poisoned, a leader, respected
 Part 3 – legend, loved, status
 Catherine symbolizes the main themes of the
book –
◦ Hope
◦ Dehumanization
◦ Brave New World
◦ Sacrifice

13.  Young, naïve – a product of the bunker
 Considers his way the right way – not as
stubborn as Ophelia, soon figures it out
 Stubborn and aggressive, initially not a great
ambassador for Homo sapiens!
 Can‟t see through his own prejudices
 Disgusted and revolted by Laura
 Eventually sees error of his ways
 Symbolizes everything wrong with humans

14.  Kind, wise and compassionate – the exact
opposite of Simon
 Resembles (personality wise!) a younger
Catherine
 Enables Simon to see the error of his ways
 “She was a wonderful, beautiful… mutant”
p.155
 Symbolizes what humans need to be – what
we should be

15.  A horse

16.  “Dodos and dinosaurs and Homo sapiens had
not been wasted. The human race no failed
evolutionary experiment, their nuclear war no
ultimate disaster.”
 Nuclear war = not bad?