The Last Book In The Universe

Consider the moments where fire appears in the novel – for example, when Spaz finds himself far from home after wandering around at night, he sees there are fires on every corner: “A place like this, you stick to the shadows and try not to be seen, because if they don’t know you the locals will assume you’re the enemy and most of the time they’re right” (37). What does fire symbolize in the novel? Does fire serve as a motif as well? Discuss both in terms of their connection to the book’s themes of Maintaining Class Structure and Leadership and Privilege.

Teaching Suggestion: Guide students to the understanding that, while fire is a symbol of danger and chaos in the book, it’s also a motif representing class structure and the disintegration of society. Fire can be seen most commonly in various places around the Urb, where life is chaotic and unpredictable, as compared to the idyllic Eden. Ask students to also discuss the moments in the book in which smoke appears, as it is the natural byproduct of fire – moments where smoke is highly prevalent inadvertently support the book’s symbol/motif of fire.