Parsonage

The parsonage where the Hildebrandts live symbolizes connection. Although the family members are never all located at the house at the same time, the house is a representation of their familial bond. Because the house is owned by the church, the parsonage also symbolizes the family's connection to and reliance upon their faith for grounding and stability.

Crossroads

Crossroads, First Reformed's youth program, symbolizes relativity. Instead of bringing the teenagers together in order to study Biblical stories and themes, Crossroads largely discards the Christian liturgy and scriptures, relying instead upon deep conversations between the group members. The author uses the group as a means of illustrating the relativity of faith and belief, and the ways in which organized religion might be diluted or misconstrued for the individual's or the organization's best interests.

Sheepskin Coat

Russ's sheepskin coat symbolizes desperation. As a middle-aged man in a disappointing...