Pay It Forward

Throughout the novel, light represents the idea of hope. Light appears in many forms, such as the moon and starlight, acting as a guide for its characters to navigate their often-dark lives. One of the earliest instances of light illuminating the darkness emerges when Jerry and Arlene see comets shoot through the sky: “‘Meteor maybe, I don’t know. When I was a kid, we used to call that a falling star. I used to think if you saw one, you’d get your wish. You know, like all your dreams’ come true’” (52). In this way, light represents hope and dreams, and the potential for their fulfillment. It is also telling that this exchange of beliefs is what forces Arlene to consider Jerry’s humanity, as she recognizes the light of hope that each person has inside of them.

Light is also associated multiple times with Trevor, as he serves in many ways to light up both the novel and its characters’ lives. During the presidential tree-lighting ceremony at the end of the book, the president says: “‘In a small, symbolic way I’m going to do what Trevor did in a very big and real way: light up the world’“(284). Throughout the novel, Trevor never gives up hope that he can effect world change.