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Family photos

These objects symbolize Varya's deep connection to her ancestry. They hang on the wall next to Varya's bed and when she looks at them, the narrator describes her looking at, "the mysterious underground bunker of traits: genes flicking on and off and on again, her grandfather Lev's rangy legs skipping Saul for Daniel" (8).

Dress

This object symbolizes appreciation for a loved one's craft. At Saul's funeral, the Rabbi asks the Gold family to slit their clothes above the heart, as is traditional in the Jewish faith. The children obediently comply, but Gertie refuses to do so since this object had been made for her in 1962 by her husband Saul. The rabbi finally relents and gives this object to Gertie so she can partake in a modified version of the religious tradition.

Telephone

This object symbolizes Simon's fears that his blissful life in San Francisco will come...

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