The novel "The Cave" by Jose Saramago has several motifs that recur throughout the book. Here are three of the key motifs: 1. Darkness: The motif of darkness is prevalent throughout the novel. The characters often find themselves in dark spaces, such as the underground cave or the closed storefronts in the shopping centre. Darkness represents the unknown, the mysterious, and the fearsome. It also symbolises the characters' isolation and disconnection from the world outside the shopping centre. 2. Blindness: Another important motif in the book is blindness. Several characters in the novel are visually impaired, and their experiences with blindness are central to the story. Blindness symbolises both physical and emotional blindness, and the characters' struggles to navigate the world without sight mirror the challenges of living in a world that can be confusing and chaotic. 3. Consumerism: The motif of consumerism is a central theme in the novel. The shopping centre where the characters live and work represents the pinnacle of consumer culture, where everything is available for purchase and the pursuit of material goods is the ultimate goal. The characters' jobs, relationships, and identities are all tied to their roles as consumers, and the novel explores the consequences of this hyper-commercialized society. [[Capitalism]] ## Notes - ## Key takeaways - ## Quotes > > ## Summary#Books/Social