question:  How can the description the protagonist’s eyes as “aflame” be understood as symbolic?
context: HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? They had no place in the dust-caked, tired body, yet there they were, seeking, always seeking—searching the clear horizon, and never seeming to find what they sought. They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. The bright shafts of red light spilled across the sky, making the mountains silent scarlet shadows on the face of the rippling water. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. She took off the locket she wore about her neck and held it up to the shimmering light, letting it spin at the end of its chain. It caught the shadows of the fire and reflected them, greatly magnified, over the room. When he opened it, he found a picture of her in one side, and in the other a picture of the children. Then he kissed her, and instantly was drawn down into the abyss which seemed to have no beginning or any end. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. The Russians had not yet used the H-bomb; the threat of annihilation by the retaliation forces had been too great. The very feel of the word was everything a battle-weary soldier needed to make him fight harder and live longer. But the planes had passed over, the sun glinting on their bellies, reflecting a blinding light. When the all-clear had sounded, the men clambered from their shelters.
output:  It is symbolic for his drive to return home to his wife.
options:  It is symbolic for his drive to win the war.  It is symbolic for his drive to find shelter.  It is symbolic for his drive to return home to his wife.  It is symbolic for his drive to cross the Rio Grande.