Cans

The cans that Razia and Saima recycle in "Sugar Fiends" are symbolic of independence. The friends are desperate to redeem the cans for money because they want to buy candy of their own volition. Doing so grants the girls a sense of autonomy within their otherwise limited world.

Kitten

The kitten the Old Italian gives Razia and her friends in "The Old Italian," is symbolic of innocence. Although the girls try to care for the kitten, the neighborhood boys ultimately kill her. When the Italian discovers the kitten's fate, Razia realizes that he sees them as destructive and violent. The kitten's life and death mirror the brevity and fragility of Razia's childhood and youth.

Magazines

The magazines that Razia and her friends burn in "Skin" are symbolic of shame. The magazines are filled with images of naked women. Regarding these images, Razia feels overwhelmed by unfamiliar...