One of the suggested themes of the story is betrayal – Corley is betrayed by society, due to the lack of opportunities for the middle and lower classes, so he becomes a betrayer. Some critics propose symbolism for a religious betrayal, that of Judas betraying Christ, but an inversion. The many orbs and circles in the text allude to the halo of Christ. The symbolism supports the socio-political betrayal and the religious betrayal simultaneously.
