The Ogre (Day 4)

“Tiffauges, you are a reader of signs- I could see it, and you have proved it to me…Signs are strong Tiffauges- it is they that brought you here…Your vocation has revealed to you phoria, malign inversion and saturation…For these symbols are diabols, and no longer symbolize anything. And saturation with them brings the end of the world” (303). Tiffauges’ participation in bringing the boys to these Napolas is his contribution to the war. He does not realize what he is doing, but really he is helping to bring the “end of the world.” Of course, his intentions were never to bring harm to the boys so he carries Ephraim on his shoulders and tried to be his protection. “Ephraim,” said Tiffauges, “I’ve lost my glasses. I can hardly see. You’ll have to guide me.” The head usually represents Christ, a child and intellect, and here Ephraim could symbolize all three. Ephraim is a young child guiding Tiffauges.

“He had to make a superhuman effort now to overcome the vicious resistance grinding in his belly and breast, but he preserved, knowing al was as it should be. When he turned to look up for the last time at Ephraim, all he saw was a six-pointed star turning slowly against the black sky” (370). I saw this ending of the story as redemptive because we have Tiffauges acting more as a human and less as an ogre, a mythical character. Tiffauges could not make a superhuman effort and get himself out of this one. He protected Ephraim and tried to lead him to safety. Instead, Ephraim ended up guiding him. Since, Ephraim did seem to symbolize Christ and they did end up sinking in the mud, Tiffauges realized this was his fate and how things were supposed to be.