The Poems of Lord Byron

Byron's poetry symbolizes the ways in which Father deceived Mother prior to coming to America. Mother often recounts that Father wooed her using Byron's poetry, and later in the novel, Rosalie relays that Byron himself was known to have been involved in a lurid extramarital affair. Thus, the connection between Byron and the relationship between Mother and Father is meant to represent the similar ways in which he took advantage of her.

Edwin's Caul

Edwin's caul is symbolic of the tragic but momentous life he is fated to live with. When he is born with a caul, the family determines that he will see ghosts but that he will live a life of great importance. As such, the reminder of this prophetic birth stands in for the expectations that surround Edwin throughout much of his life and occasionally lead him to compete...