Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Parallel Isles You won't find the Sunrise Islands on any of our maps. It exists in a parallel universe in the middle of the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean. You won't find that on a map either, but if...
What's Up With the Title?
Pop quiz: is a nation its people—or its land? In other words, could you pick up everyone living in the United States, plop them down on Mars, and still call them Americans?Mau might say yes. He s...
What's Up With the Ending?
Well, first we have to decide what ending we're talking about. The ending to Mau's story in which Daphne sails away and Mau goes fishing? Well, that's kind of a bummer. Sure, nothing bad happens, b...
Tough-o-Meter
Nation isn't just at sea level—it's at sea level on a beautiful tropical beach. One that, er, wasn't wiped out by a massive tidal wave. Sorry, Mau. Yes, the book deals with heavy issues, but it d...