Cork People

The cork people represent Eleanor’s family and people, in general. When Eleanor and her children decide to make people and float them down the brook in the springtime, they make the people out of cork because cork floats. Eleanor’s story of loss and difficulties demonstrates that people are capable of floating as well even though life may hand them situations capable of weighing them down and drowning them.

Old Ashworthy

Old Ashworthy represents family, home, and fallibility. This huge tree is quickly associated with Eleanor’s physical home because it is the first thing she sees as she approaches the house. She names her non-comic strip Family Tree in honor of the huge tree. The family has both good and sad memories that they associate with the tree.

The tree is a symbol of fallibility when it is struck by lightning and falls...