Landreaux's Rifle

The hunting rifle that Landreaux uses to provide for his family represents the tragedy of Dusty’s death. It is with his hunting rifle that Landreaux accidentally kills Dusty when attempting to kill a deer. Devastated by the accident, Landreaux later burns the gun so that it can never be used by anyone again.

Deer

A deer that is hunted by Landreaux early in the novel becomes symbolic of fate and the bridge between the present world and the next. Landreaux stalks and intends to kill the deer early in the novel, but the deer bolts away just in time to avoid the shot. Instead, Dusty is killed. Here, the deer has arrived to ensure that Dusty’s life in this world will end. The deer is on hand to guide Dusty’s spirit into the afterlife.

Dog

A stray dog begins hanging around the...