Symbol of Stones

Stones are symbolic for lives, as well as symbolic for choices that change those lives. Paul describes the stumble stones that mark the lives and the deaths of the Jews. He is drawn to Willy's stone as his death occurred in front of his home. Kitty describes her walk towards the Big House on the island to be "a spot in time she would return to like a stone in her pocket" indicating a fateful decision in her life (80). Also, Joan requests to be buried with a stone that simply states "Here," again symbolic of a decision made that irrevocably changed family history.