Fire

You might think, in a book that revolves around the terrors of war, that "fire" would be a horrifying and hellish sort of symbol. Nope. In fact, it's the exact opposite. It's all about feeling warm and fuzzy, both inside and out.

Much of Chester's family life takes place around a fire. When he's still just a little kid, he remembers sitting "by a snapping winter fire, surrounded by family" (3.1). This image gives us a sense of the warmth and community that Chester grew up in as a child, when Father and Grandmother told stories around the fire.

At another point in the book, Chester has a dream about a big gathering:

Neighbors, aunts, uncles, and cousins had come to stay for several days […] bringing blankets and food—fresh and dried meat and canned goods. There would be feasting and storytelling around the fire. (6.31)

Aww, good times. Like the memory of him sitting around the fire with his family as a child, this dream also evokes the warmth and community that Chester feels at home.

During these family gatherings, Chester remembers how "tales of current events were spun" "[w]ith everyone squatting around a big fire outdoors." (6.32) These recurring images of gatherings around a fire show us how Chester's family and community share their knowledge and stories with one another.

In Code Talker, the fire represents the way that Chester's family and community come together, as well as the bonds they share. The imagery of the fire also evokes a sense of safety and warmth—they're not roasting marshmallows over these particular fires, but these are the kind of totally cozy fires that would prompt Anglo families to break out the s'mores fixings and cocoa. This is a caring, loving community that Chester grows up in, and that warmth and safety are a big source of strength for Chester in the book—he draws on these fiery memories when he needs them most.