THERE BE LAND RATS 

John Leech’s bustling scene depicts the anxiety of movement and displacement through potent symbols. Notice the birdcage, a recurring motif across cultures, often representing the soul, or captivity, and the desire for freedom. Here, the cage is carried amidst a throng, suggesting a journey—perhaps a forced migration or a longing for escape. The covered box, central to the composition, recalls images of coffins or treasure chests. But are these migrants carrying their past lives or are they hoping for a new future? The visual language used here echoes in myriad forms—from ancient sarcophagi to modern-day refugee camps. The emotional weight of these symbols engages our collective memory. It reminds us of the universal human experience of transition. The fear of the unknown resonates powerfully, a subconscious echo passed down through generations. These aren't simply images. They are visual palimpsests where the past continuously rewrites itself on the present.