Nancy the Egret

Nancy is a symbol both of Julia and Cassie’s bond, and of hope. They see an egret on their first day at the quarry, and name it Nancy “because the name made us laugh” (44). Nancy becomes a shared sign for the girls, and they believe that she is their own personal good omen. Then, when Cassie is lost and Julia is talking to Peter about it, Nancy flies overhead and inspires Julia to search for her at the quarry. The cloak that Julia sees in her dream which leads her to find Cassie in the asylum is made of Nancy’s feathers. Julia’s dream was another attempt by Nancy to bring Julia to Cassie.

The Forest

The forests behind Cassie’s house and around the quarry represent the unknown, and when the girls journey through the woods it is symbolic of their...