Themes & patterns

The book explores the human fear of death and the desire for eternal life through the characters of Oro and Yva, who possess the Life-water and have lived for millennia, contrasting their prolonged existence with the natural human lifespan and the ultimate futility of seeking to escape death.

The narrative constantly pits the religious faith of Bastin against the scientific skepticism of Bickley, with Arbuthnot caught in between, using their debates on Christianity, ancient religions, and the supernatural to examine the nature of truth and belief.

Arbuthnot's deep love for Yva transcends time and mortality, culminating in her ultimate sacrifice to save him and his friends, illustrating a love that is eternal and spiritual rather than merely physical or temporal.

The ancient civilization of the Sons of Wisdom, led by Oro, demonstrates how absolute power and the hoarding of knowledge and life-extending secrets lead to jealousy, war, and eventual downfall, serving as a parable about the dangers of elitism and tyranny.

Arbuthnot's initial ennui and dissatisfaction with wealth and leisure drive him to seek purpose, a quest that leads to the discovery of ancient wisdom and a deeper understanding of life, death, and the soul beyond material existence.

The story suggests that individual identity and love persist across lifetimes, as hinted by the resemblance between Arbuthnot's deceased wife and Yva, and by the mystical experiences that imply a continuity of the spirit beyond a single earthly existence.

The book contrasts the highly advanced but morally decayed Sons of Wisdom with the 'barbarian' nations and even modern society, questioning what true civilization means and critiquing the brutality and superficiality of contemporary life, especially during war.