The Adriadne myth is used as a metaphor for the life of Poppy, particularly with regards to Poppy's sense of abandonment resulting from China's rejection of her daughter. At the opening of the novel, Lalage introduces the metaphor by referring to the umbilical chord as a thread, like the thread given to Theseus. "The thread is cut and we"re out there alone" (p.3) is a reference to the sense of abandonment, or "the first wound" (p.3), that Lalage will go on to explore extensively in the novel through the myth of Adriadne. Lalage continually reinforces the metaphor, strengthening the link between Poppy and Adriadne and underlining the importance of Poppy's sense of rejection to her story. For example, Poppy later claims to be "like Adriadne abandoned on the beach" (p. 132), expressing the same sense of abandonment and isolation as the myths central character. Again, Poppy is later referred to as "the mistress of the labyrinth" (p. 171). .
Through this metaphor Lalage creates a woman in the image of Adriadne. She creates a fictional filter through which to view Poppy; an image of abandonment and loss, underlined by an unfailing metaphor. .
Lalage's use of the Adriadne myth in creating a fictional image of Poppy is constructive in that it serves to echo and reinforce both the form and purpose of the novel. With regards to the purpose, Lalage's search for self-knowledge by confronting the story of her mother can be equated with the journey of Theseus into the Labyrinth to face the minotour. The letters and diaries tied with Poppy's twine used by Lalage to piece her mothers life together would represent the Labyrinth itself, with Poppy's twine metaphorical of Adriadne's string. Additionally, one of the central elements of self-discovery achieved by Lalage through creating the story of Poppy is that of the original loss; the rejection felt through the displacement of Poppy's love with the birth of May.
