The Bird

The unfledged bird drowning in the puddle in paragraph 4 represents the helplessness that the married couple feels towards the troubling state of their son. Throughout the story, the narrator emphasizes the fact that the boy's family cannot do anything about his struggles. Similarly, the bird that cannot fly is helpless when it is stuck in a puddle.

Public Transport

The public transport is a symbol that represents misfortune. When the parents are making their way to the mental hospital to visit their son, the public transport fails them. For example, the train breaks between stops, and the replacement bus is crammed with abrasive people.

The Boy's Mother

The mother is a symbol that combines the themes of misfortune, psychological hardship, and family. Her misfortune and psychological hardship arises from her relationship with her son, and her relationship with her husband and son explores the theme...