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Symbols
The Shield-Wall divides the world of Mortal Engines in two and symbolizes the difference between the aggressive colonizers in London and the more peaceful Anti-Traction League. The Wall symbolizes stability and the defensive nature of the Anti-Traction League. Unlike London and other predator cities, the members of the Anti-Traction League don’t need to “eat” others to survive. This doesn’t mean that the League is full of pacificists—spies like Anna Fang are willing to use violent tactics, and settlements like Batmunkh Gompa have extensive fleets of combat airships. Nevertheless, the Wall suggests that these settlements would prefer to live in peace and have only adapted to avoid being destroyed by big cities like London. While London attempts to destroy the Shield-Wall and seems to have exactly the right weapon to do it with MEDUSA, ultimately this effort fails and London ends up destroying itself instead. This suggests that the more sustainable, peaceful lifestyle that the Shield-Wall represents is ultimately more durable than the fast and dangerous lifestyle of London.
Shield-Wall Quotes in Mortal Engines
The Mortal Engines quotes below all refer to the symbol of Shield-Wall. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 21
Quotes
“Nor will we have to go chasing after scraps like Salthook,” Crome continued. “In another week London will be within range of Batmunkh Gompa, the Shield-Wall. For a thousand years the Anti-Traction League has cowered behind it, holding out against the tide of history. MEDUSA will destroy it at a single stroke.”
Related Characters:
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Explanation and Analysis:
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Shield-Wall Symbol Timeline in Mortal Engines
The timeline below shows where the symbol Shield-Wall appears in Mortal Engines. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 21
...turn rival cities into dust and how it will even allow them to breach the Shield-Wall of the Anti-Traction League. He says they’re about to do a test-firing of the weapon....
(full context)
Chapter 24
...will come with her to Shan Guo. She believes London intends to break through the Shield-Wall, and she wants to warn the people behind the wall. Finally, she reveals that she...
(full context)
Chapter 26
...fly over some mountains. It takes several days, but they finally make it to the Shield-Wall. After flying over the wall, they come to the static settlement of Batmunkh Gompa, and...
(full context)
Chapter 27
As London heads toward the Shield-Wall, Katherine spends most of her time in the Museum. She likes spending time with Pod...
(full context)
Chapter 30
Valentine reveals that MEDUSA will blast a path through the Shield-Wall that evening. Katherine says they have to stop it. Valentine argues that would leave London...
(full context)
Chapter 31
...in London excitedly gather at observation decks, hoping to be the first to see the Shield-Wall. Meanwhile, in the Museum, Katherine tells Pod about the impending MEDUSA attack. She disowns Valentine...
(full context)
Chapter 34
...As they’re getting ready, however, Valentine stands in Crome’s way. He worries that breaching the Shield-Wall will result in massive loss of life, not just for the Anti-Tractionists but also for...
(full context)
