Kings County

Kings County symbolizes home. Although Libertie desperately attempts to dissociate from the place throughout the novel, she cannot forget her hometown. Kings County is literally the locale where Libertie was born and grew up. However, the place is also symbolic of the comforts and stability offered by home. She perpetually returns to Kings County, because her soul is inherently tied to the place.

Daisy

Daisy's character symbolizes entrapment. Although Ben Daisy is liberated from his enslavement, he remains trapped by his love for his late lover. His perpetual longing for Daisy ultimately leads him to commit suicide. Witnessing Ben Daisy's demise complicates Libertie's understanding of love and freedom, and makes her fear caring for another.

Water Woman

The woman in the water symbolizes superstition. After Libertie hears that the boys who tried saving Ben Daisy saw a woman in the water with him, she begins...