Remote Stories

The Remote stories symbolize the power of storytelling to comfort people and create bonds between them. Throughout the main narrative, Riggle recalls the stories that his mother used to make up and tell through her character named Remote. These stories bring Riggle comfort in difficult times, and they help him remember his deceased mother. Additionally, many of the stories convey distinct morals about how to navigate life’s adversity.

Death

In the novel, death symbolizes grief and trauma. Riggle had a very difficult childhood, as his father died when Riggle was six years old, and his mother killed herself two years later. When Riggle is 17 years old, he finds Joe’s body after Joe dies of a drug overdose. Riggle is traumatized by these deaths and even begins to wonder if he somehow indirectly caused them. He is, fortunately, able to overcome such ideas.

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