II Second level of meaning

On the basis of the mythological, symbolical meanings of the relevant attributes we start seeing that the narrative presents a story in which the characters carry larger, abstract meanings, comparable to mythological characters and the most ancient values, attitudes and endeavours of humankind. Owen represents the human aspiration to transcend the limitations of material and human existence. Danforth stands for material stagnation and power, Peter Hovenden represents negativity and hostility, everything which erects sceptic barriers to human aspiration, while the child stands for ignorance and the continuation of the materialistic bloodline. The Hermes-like Butterfly is the messenger between the world of inspiration and artistic creation (W1) and the human, materialistic world of physical strength (W2).

The plot unfolds in a way that the narrator keeps focusing our attention on the inner world and mental processes of the protagonist, Owen Warland. The narrator appears to be external in all aspects of focalization, but we also realize that he very much sympathizes with Owen, the hero, so in the emotive aspect of focalization it is not unbiased and impartial, but an internal emotive focalizer: it very often expresses concern about Owen, and even cries out “Poor, poor and fallen Owen Warland!” This suggests that the protagonist of the story might carry the philosophical viewpoint of the author, which indeed makes sense because the narrative appears to put forward a typically romantic philosophical statement about the importance of imaginative power and artistic creation over the materially minded human civilization.

Nevertheless, we are still puzzled by the seemingly nonsensical ending of the plot, so we have to carry on with our interpretive effort.