List

The friends' list of names is symbolic of the past. The friends hold on to the list, because they are desperate for revenge against the men who wronged Fern. Their retention of the list echoes their inability to let the matter go, and in turn the friends' fear of letting go of the past.

Cheese

The cheese that the friends meet during their visits is symbolic of youth. The friends always buy extravagant, fancy cheese offerings, because they want to experience decadence and luxury. In this way, they are trying to preserve their youthful pasts, while enjoying life in the present.

Apples

The apples that fall on the umbrella at Leonie's house are symbolic of time. The falling apples mirror the passage of time that the three friends are reluctant to acknowledge. Although Leonie could cut down the offending branches, she resists doing so, because she...