Yew Tree

The yew tree is a symbol for healing, both in this story and throughout folklore. The monster, which is a vehicle for Conor's healing through his mother's death, is a yew tree. Several times throughout the novel Conor's mother points this out and often stares out the window at the old tree. In one of the monster's stories, the apothecary wants to cut down the yew tree to use the bark to heal his village. The doctor's last ditch effort for Conor's mother's cancer is a formula made from yew bark.

Time

Time is frequently used in this story as a symbol for when Conor's mother will lose her struggle. Several times the author mentions Conor's grandmother's very expensive clock, which Conor subsequently smashes in his wish to stop time from advancing towards his mother's end. Whenever the monster appears in the story, it is...