Throughout the novel, Ernshaw develops the theme of the insidious nature of deceit in two forms. First, this takes place within the context of Theo and Calla’s and Bee and Levi’s relationships. Each dynamic involves different forms of falsehood, but the former couple ultimately exhibits a trust in each other that the latter lacks. Second, the subtle lies Levi tells by hypnotizing the community have dire effects, particularly the deaths of Ash and Turk. Having examples of deceit in both interpersonal and community-wide relationships reinforces the particular danger of lies within a close-knit commune like Pastoral. Theo associates his lie to his wife with his deception of the community: “It’s a deceit, holding the photograph while my wife sleeps a foot away. It’s a deceit to the entire community” (101). Ernshaw creates an intimacy in Theo’s description of his proximity to his sleeping wife that contrasts with his negative actions. His lies feel particularly harmful because of the close relationship between not only him and his wife but also him and the wider community, even though Theo is eventually vindicated in his suspicion of Levi and Pastoral.

Ernshaw often represents lies physically, and descriptions of the “rot” parallel those of deceit.