The Body

The body is a symbol of power -- or a lack thereof -- in the collection. Whether the body is a place of self-knowledge and confidence depends on one's sense of self. Confusion about identity leads to a feeling of lack. This can be seen in "Threshold" in the speaker's attitude towards their body. In "Trojan," the boy in the red dress has within his body the source of his eventual self-destruction. Bodies can destroy themselves or others in this collection, but they can also be the sites of moments of connection, such as in "Homewrecker."

The Colt 45

The Colt 45 the speaker's father gives him in "Always & Forever" symbolizes the nature of their relationship, in which his father cares for him in a way that is both sincere and threatening. His father is a rough man who has witnessed much violence in his life, and...