“It is forbidden to cross the great river and look upon the place that was the Place of the Gods—this is most strictly forbidden. We do not even say its name though we know its name. It is there that spirits live, and demons—it is there that there are the ashes of the Great Burning. These things are forbidden—they have been forbidden since the beginning of time.”

The story opens with an explanation of the Hill People’s laws, which mostly circle around prohibitions of the Dead Places. However, the Hill People accept these laws simply because they have been true for as long as they can remember, not because they understand the reasoning behind them. John’s journey opens his eyes to the power of exploration and seeking the truth.

“After that, they gave me the good piece of meat and the warm corner of the fire. My father watched over me—he was glad that I should be a priest. But when I boasted or wept without a reason, he punished me more strictly than my brothers. That was right.”

John holds a position of great importance in his society due to his ability to gather metal. His rank as a priest’s son earns him both material privileges and higher standards for self-discipline. John’s father trains him to control his emotions, which helps the protagonist face his fears during his forbidden journey.

“‘My son,’ he said. ‘Once I had young dreams. If your dreams do not eat you up, you may be a great priest. If they eat you, you are still my son. Now go on your journey.’”

John’s dream of seeing the gods walking about foreshadows his journey to the Place of the Gods. In addition, his father reminds him that it is forbidden to go to the Place of the Gods right before sending him on his journey, suggesting that he suspects his son’s intentions.