Driving

Driving symbolizes a desire to explore the world and mature in the novel. Beverly seeks to find herself when she strikes out on her own by learning how to drive. She helps Iola get around town, and proves to herself that she can take care of herself.

Sunlight

Sunlight symbolizes hope and perseverance in the novel. When Beverly questions herself or wonders how long she can continue on without her mother, she often looks to the sun to feel warmth and comfort. She realizes that she can rebuild a family-like structure around herself, and possibly even repair her relationship with her mother when she returns home.

Ocean

The ocean symbolizes a larger sense of peace and comfort in the novel. Beverly finds herself spending hours by the water, looking out and thinking about where her life is going. However, she does not express a sense of...