The President is Missing

The motif of light and darkness is traditionally associated with a divide between good and evil or between ignorance and knowledge. The presence of this motif evokes similar contrasts in the novel: The virus is given the code name “Dark Ages” since it has the potential to eliminate the sophisticated digital infrastructure on which American society relies. Without this infrastructure, the loss of knowledge and the consequent social chaos would result in the US reverting to an earlier and much less advanced period of history. Society would be literally (due to the collapse of the power grid) and metaphorically (due to loss of technology) plunged into darkness.

Other plot events further develop this motif: Before meeting with Augie, President Duncan notices flickering lights at the White House, and a massive power outage shrouds the city in darkness as he exits the baseball stadium. The loss of light at crucial moments evokes a sense of threat since darkness can make it easier for violent events to occur. The motif of light and darkness also extends to the lack of knowledge that constrains Duncan for most of the plot. He is perpetually “in the dark” as to who is betraying him from within the White House, whether or not he should trust Augie or the Russians, and many other details, tying this motif to the theme of