Lamp

Mira's favorite lamp is a symbol of beauty. When Mira first starts working at the lamp store, she falls in love with the lamp not only because of its appearance but because it is not too expensive. The lamp's beauty, therefore, feels attainable to Mira. However, the lamp ultimately remains just out of reach, and Mira must ultimately steal it to make it her own. The lamp is later destroyed in the bungalow fire, thus proving the fragility and transience of material beauty.

Leaf

The leaf within which Mira becomes trapped with her father is a symbol of grief. Shortly after her father dies and his spirit enters her body, Mira finds herself drifting up to and inside of the leaf. The leaf is small and confining, and makes Mira regret ever having tried to be bigger or greater than the size of the leaf. Despite...