Mushrooms

Lamott uses mushrooms to symbolize a lifestyle that is unhealthy for humans. She mentions these fungi twice in the novel. The first reference is found in the prelude section of the book where Lamott points out that even mushrooms react to the light. In the chapter titled “Wow,” Lamott mentions mushrooms again. She compares a person who has grown comfortable in life to a mushroom, living in poop in the dark.

Air and Light

Air and light are symbols of the aspects of God that help heal hurting humans. Lamott writes that physical air and light are both elements that help heal physical wounds while the kind of light and air that God provides bring spiritual healing. This air and light is mentioned in the chapter entitled “Help.”

A God Box

A God box is a symbolic way of giving things up to God’s control. Lamott...