Basketball

In the first scene of the novel, the basketball is a symbol of Lucy's athleticism and passion. She describes the ball as a "big round world" (5), as it represents all of her youthful energy and idealism. While playing, she feels like the ball "holds some kind of magical power" (5) and she is "transformed" (7). The sport gives her the strength and confidence she does not always have in other aspects of her life.

Percy's Graffiti

The graffiti that Percy writes on the bus stop, a quote by French philosopher and author Céline, symbolizes Percy's nihilistic ideals and his disgust with his family's wealth. The quote reads, "The rich don't have to kill to eat" (28), and it is an acknowledgment that the wealthy do not struggle with the challenges of ordinary people, and they are complacent and uninterested or unwilling to sacrifice to make the world a...