First Aid Class

In "First Aid," Nell and Tig's first aid class is a symbol of anticipation. After completing the course, Nell realizes that if one tried to predict all of life's dangers, one would end up living in a constant state of worry and sorrow. The class therefore forces the characters to anticipate disaster, death, and loss in this manner.

Smudgie

In "Morte de Smudgie," Nell's late cat Smudgie is symbolic of fear. When Smudgie dies, Nell feels overcome by outsized sorrow. Years later, in the wake of Tig's death, she realizes her response to Smudgie's death was in fact her fear over losing her partner.

Mother

In "My Evil Mother," the narrator's mother is symbolic of protection. Over the years, the narrator becomes increasingly frustrated with her mother's self-proclaimed magical powers. In the wake of her death, however, the narrator realizes that her mother's tales...