Phone Call

The phone call represents an ironic opportunity in the story “Homecoming.” If Mack had not fired Freda and taken the call himself, he would never have had the opportunity to steal the money from the men who hired him to sue the chainsaw company. With the money, he freed himself from his problematic, "old" life by leaving. So, while the call seemed like a fortunate happenstance at the time, the irony is that he lost the opportunity to be with his daughters and his mother.

Manila Envelope

The manila envelope is a symbol of secrecy in the story “Homecoming.” When Mack gives this envelope to Kathy to pass along to Jake, he has secured it with tape, glue, and staples. He wants to ensure that no one else will see what is inside the envelope.

$50,000

The $50,000 represents possible wrongdoing in the story "Homecoming." Mack draws...