LEGOs

The LEGO blocks with which the father and the boy play, symbolize order. The father is especially drawn to the toys because they allow him to feel in control. He can create a neat structure out of a select set of building blocks. He even later refers to the fragmented sections of his story as LEGOs, imagining that he is building a neat narrative form out of an assortment of bricks.

Hamster

The boy's hamster symbolizes death. When the father has to put the hamster down, he feels overwhelmed by guilt. The experience conjures memories of the abortion and thoughts about his ailing father. He feels as if he has been responsible for several creatures' fates, and cannot escape the associated shame.

Tests

The tests the parents order for their first and second child symbolize chance. In the context of the unborn child, the test results...