Religious and Mythological Symbolism

Where it surfaces

• The New Tower of Babel

  The cathedral, the Virgin, and the bell of Saint Michael contrast with the industrial city. The Gothics' vow to destroy Metropolis if the cathedral is touched invokes religious martyrdom.

• III

  The Paternoster machine is likened to Ganesha, and Georgi's twisted Lord's Prayer blends Christian liturgy with machine worship, highlighting the perversion of faith.

• IV

  References to the seal of Solomon, the Tower of Babel, and the 'apple of knowledge' imbue the chapter with biblical and mythological resonance.

• VIII

  The cathedral, the figure of Death, the Seven Deadly Sins, and the monk Desertus all contribute to rich religious and mythological symbolism.

• X

  Freder's dream is a vivid apocalyptic vision filled with biblical imagery: the Whore of Babylon, Death as a minstrel, the seven Deadly Sins, and a desecrated cathedral, all reflecting a world turned upside down.

• XI

  The monk Desertus's sermon directly quotes Revelation, casting the mysterious woman as the Whore of Babylon and Metropolis as a sinful city.

• XII

  The mother quotes scripture ('Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap') and her eyes are described as having the strength of a heavenly legion, invoking divine judgment.

• XIV

  The catacombs setting, Maria's messianic role, and the imagery of the bloodred mouth evoke biblical and apocalyptic themes.

• XVII

  The flood and Maria's role evoke Noah's Ark and saintly martyrdom, with the water personified as a vengeful force and the children as souls awaiting deliverance.

• XVIII

  Maria comforts the children with imagery of heaven and Saint Peter, and Freder prays, invoking divine deliverance amid the catastrophe.

• XIX

  The cathedral, the Archangel Michael's bell, and Desertus's crucifixion imagery evoke apocalyptic and biblical themes.

• XXI

  The cathedral, Saint Michael's bell, and the witch-burning pyre are rich with religious and mythological imagery, framing the characters' struggles.

• XXII

  The cathedral roof, the Virgin statue, and Rotwang's vision of Hel as an angel of death invoke Christian and mythological motifs.

• XXIII

  The cathedral setting, altar, saintly figures, and the imagery of light and redemption evoke religious themes of suffering and salvation.

• XXIV

  The setting in the cathedral, Maria's Madonna-like depiction, and references to saintly legends and God's gaze imbue the scene with religious symbolism.

• XXV

  Biblical references (e.g., 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love,' 'Lo, I am with you always') and imagery of pilgrimage and redemption permeate the chapter.