Symbol of Birdcage

Upon departing from her apartment in Shaker Heights, Mia had left behind an envelope full of "half-portraits, half-wishes" she had created for each Richardson family member. Of all the portraits, Mrs. Richardson's was "most startling of all" (329). The birdcage in the portrait symbolizes the restrictive setting of Shaker Heights and its hold on Elena Richardson. It is depicted as being "shattered" because Izzy, a reflection and piece of Mrs. Richardson herself, had busted through it into freedom, leaving behind a single gold feather. Mia's wish for Mrs. Richardson was to leave the cage behind for good, but instead it acted as a constant of the daughter that flew from her coupe.