The Island on Bird Street

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of religious discrimination and graphic violence.

Alex’s rope ladder is the strongest symbol of his Resourcefulness and Ingenuity for Survival. He studies his potential third- and fourth-floor hideout for some time, thinking through various plans. He decides on an ingenious plan that works perfectly to hoist the rope ladder to the third floor, tie it securely, and keep it hidden whether he is in the hideout or out on a looting mission. Further, his confidence soars once he successfully constructs, implements, and uses this rope ladder. He feels much better and safer by having a “back door” exit (the third-floor window); most importantly, his situation feels much more manageable after he proves to himself that he can control his fate to some extent.

While the rope ladder represents Alex’s learned skills and his mind for engineering, it also symbolizes freedom. Only by staying hidden can Alec hope to gain eventual freedom from persecution when the war is over. Thus, the ladder stands for his hopes for a free life. The ladder, especially with its clever wires for hoisting it up and down, also stands for Alex’s freedom within his current personal conflict.