Diary

Francis's diary symbolizes the past. When Anna discovers her father's diary in her late mother's belongings, she is unprepared for the discoveries about her cultural and paternal origins that she will soon uncover. The diary acts as a portal to these buried truths about her identity, and challenges Anna to confront her past in order to resolve her conflicts in the present.

Trunk

Anna's mother's trunk symbolizes confrontation. When Bronwen first dies, Anna cannot bring herself to open the trunk. She fears what the trunk might contain, believing that it will provide her with no catharsis. Her initial reluctance to facing the trunk illustrates how much she fears facing the truth of how little she knows her parents and thus herself. When she finally does open the trunk, Anna is prepared to confront her past and identity.

Katherine

Katherine's character symbolizes comfort. Though Anna does not...