Pigeon

Harri's favorite pigeon is an omen of death. At the start of the novel, the pigeon flies into Harri's bedroom. Instead of hurting or killing the pigeon, Harri lets him outside, determined to care for and befriend the bird throughout the following weeks and months. The pigeon's elusive yet constant presence throughout the novel grants him symbolic significance, mirroring the elusive and imminence of death itself.

Dead Boy's Photo

The dead boy's photograph is a symbol of the past. Throughout the novel, the dead boy is never given a name. His face and appearance are also never described. In this way, the boy's identity seems erased by his death. His photograph however seems to bring him back to life, forcing the characters to regard him and the truth of his violent death. The author uses the photograph to reify the past and challenge the characters to...