The man, introduced in the first line of the poem, represents the everyman. In literature and drama, the everyman represents the layperson, an ordinary individual with whom the reader or audience member can easily identify with, learning valuable lessons from their story that apply to their own lives. The term “everyman” originated in Christopher Marlowe’s morality play of the same name circa 1530 and remains a common way for authors and playwrights to represent humanity at large.

Nye characterizes the man as a caring father figure: cautious and gentle and selfless, protecting his young son from the downpour of rain and rush of passing cars. He is a symbol of protection, taking on hardship for his innocent, sleeping son, unaware of the world around them as he sleeps soundly on his father’s shoulder. Nye uses the man as an example, showing readers how easy it is to choose empathy in their day-to-day lives, imploring them to show kindness, not just to those they love most, but also to strangers, keeping the world safe for everyone.

In contrast to the man, the son symbolizes innocence. For the entirety of the poem, the son is asleep and therefore unaware of the hardships that surround him (the rainfall, the cars speeding by, his father carrying him across the street).