Wedding ring

A wedding ring is worn by Ira Milkens in “Debarking” following his divorce six months before. Ira finds it difficult to remove the ring physically, but this is a symbolic manifestation of his emotional inability to move on yet. Ira’s friend, Mike, tells Ira that the ring will come off when he is ready to take it off, underscoring the point that Ira’s issues are emotional.

Sculptures

Sculptures of nude boys are carved by Zora, and kept around her house. These nude sculptures disturb Ira to some degree, as well as Zora’s nude photographs of her son through his teenage years.

Juniper Tree

A Juniper tree is planted by Robin Ross in her garden outside her house in the story “The Juniper Tree”. Traditionally, juniper has been used in cleansing rituals, and the night that the narrator visits Robin’s empty house...