The Tree of Time
Characters and Symbols
Addressing the characters of this myth are as important as the conclusions it comes to. The narrative drives at addressing the origins of memory, what we as people value, and the means by which we lose sight of those things.
The character Manus serves as the original human. Like early humans in the history books, Manus drives to create something that will he will be remembered for and that would honor his importance. For the Egyptians, it was the Pyramids, for Manus it was his tree. Unsurprisingly, when this sacred monument is desecrated it is interpreted as an affront to his legacy, one which he never forgets as its true glory will be lost to time. Also, like the pyramids, the only thing that remains is the tree ruins. The only place left where this monument can be seen is in his memories - something Manus cherishes deeply and something lost to all other humans.
Fargot is one of Manus's two sons. Though not given much characterization his name addresses his fate. Based on the word "forget" Fargot represents the faulty nature of human memory. As new information is stored, other memories are lost. Sometimes due to mental lapses, other times due to carelessness like that which drove him to desecrate his father's tree. Fargot represents how time carves away such cherised memories just as Manus' curse.
The tree within the narrative serves as both something by which memories are formed and a symbol for memories themselves. The tree is something seen as valuable and wished to be retained and worshiped throughout time. However, time and human intervention have a way of robbing us of these things of beauty. When the tree's original state is lost the only thing left of its original beauty is those who can remember it. And when those are gone, its original image is truly lost.
A not-so-subtle reference to Alzheimer's, Manus's second son represents the physical restraints of memory. Until Manus cursed his sons, perfect memory was a sort of blessing passed down by Manus. A tragic disease, Alzheimer's, and physical ailments such as Manus' curse serve as a ruinous assault on our memories robbing people of what they hold most valuable.