The pass at the Notch, which is described as “the great artery, through which the life-blood internal commerce is continually throbbing” (299), is a symbol of life and the passing of human life. The mountains are seemingly eternal in comparison to the people who pass through them, which connects to the theme of Human Beings Versus Nature. The symbolism between the pass and human life is further solidified in the text when the narrator explains that the guest’s whole life was a “solitary path” (301), implying that roads and passes are a symbol of human life. Like the life of the guest, the path through the Notch is largely solitary.

The fire inside the cottage is a symbol of safety for the family and their guest. Throughout the short story, most of the action, dialogue, and plot occur around the fire. The fire gives the characters warmth and light, which juxtaposes the harsh coldness and darkness of their natural surroundings. Therefore, like the inn itself, the fire is a source of shelter for the family and the travelers who stop there when passing through the Notch.

Indeed, when reminded of the harshness of their surroundings by the wailing of the wind, the family turns to the fire for reassurance: They “thr[o]w pine branches on their fire, till the dry leaves crackle[] and the flame ar[i]se, discovering once again a scene of peace and humble happiness” (305). The sound, sight, and warmth of the fire fight against the gloom of the mountain. More importantly, the possessive “their” is noteworthy since it implies a sense of control; for the family, the fire belongs in the domestic sphere and acts almost like a talisman against danger in their mind. Thus, the ending is doubly ironic. While the characters lie dead, the fire “[i]s yet smouldering on the hearth” (306), unattended and independent of the family.