In "Decider" by Dick Francis, the protagonist shares an experience of entering a space filled with old building plans. The plans have been tightly rolled for such an extended time that unraveling them becomes a challenging task, akin to wrestling with an octopus. This vivid imagery emphasizes the complexity and difficulty of the task at hand.
As the character begins to sort through these plans, it symbolizes a deeper exploration of history and the challenges of understanding intricate designs that might hold significance. The situation illustrates the notion of tackling daunting tasks that require patience and careful handling, reflecting the broader themes of perseverance and discovery present in the narrative.