Phoenix Bird Perspective

When I was about half way through the novel I searched for a photo of the symbolistic Phoenix that best characterized Ezra. I can across the photograph above and thought it was perfect for him. The bird itself, Ezra, was rising above his past, or what looks like molten lava. I also came to think that the lava symbolized what happened to him with the death of his father and the radiation better them ashes. Ashes seem like it would be too unimportant anymore, finished, complete. Rather then lava is much more current, still relevant, still burning. I also noticed that there were claws coming out of the lava and trying to get a grasp on the phoenix to drag it down again. But the bird was powerful enough to survive. But Ezra was powerful enough to survive.

Once I finished the book I went to look for another picture to compare to the first, but once again, I still found the first picture of a phoenix the most relevant, but I chose it for different reasons. My perspective of the photo changed. Before I thought it was the phoenix rising from the lava, but now it seems as if the phoenix is being dragged under the molten mixture. I thought this because it's wings seem like they are reaching for something to hold onto so it couldn't fall. Its expression shows of a lost hope. The body of the bird seems to be straining and changing direction in hopes of the claws losing their grip. But even the powerful creature's efforts were not powerful enough to let it fly away. The lava was out of the phoenix's control and too powerful to escape. The radiation was out of Ezra's control and too powerful to escape. And Ezra fell.