Cigarettes/Smoking

Cigarettes are a symbol of how the Belsey family internalizes their emotions. When Howard's affair is revealed and the family begins to splinter, all of the Belseys, besides Levi, take up smoking. Levi repeats his anti-smoking stance throughout the novel, which is symbolic of the ways in which he does not want to participate in his family's drama.

The Anniversary Gift

The beautiful anniversary gift is a symbol of Kiki and Howard's positive outward appearance hiding a much darker reality. At Kiki and Howard's anniversary party, Christian Von Klepper and Meredith gift Kiki with a framed embroidered Shakespeare quote. The quote, which is taken from "The Tempest" and the pearlescent frame are both outwardly beautiful, but signal manipulation and false appearances lurking just below the surface.

The Abstract Painting

The presence of this painting symbolizes Howard's dominance in dictating the Belsey's lives. In the Belsey...