Pompeii: A Novel

Mount Vesuvius is the active volcano which towers over Pompeii in a literal and figurative sense. The eruption of the volcano at the end of the novel destroys the city and brings the narrative to a close. The sheer destructive power of the volcano in this moment is an important symbol of the power of nature. Since the beginning of the book, Vesuvius has lingered on the horizon. The shape of the mountain is distant and inscrutable; only when Attilius approaches the mountain does he actually begin to understand its true shape and power. Until it erupts, the characters do not even know that the volcano is active. The characters' reactions deepen this symbolism of nature’s power. When Vesuvius erupts, Pliny is immediately drawn to it. The character whose enduring legacy will be his detailed study of nature decides to set sail toward the erupting volcano. He feels a sudden need to document this powerful moment for the benefit of humanity. Similarly, Attilius is one of the only characters to grasp the innate power of the volcano. He tries to warn people, though they often ignore him.