Beach

The beach where Wayne drowns is symbolic of loss. The beach and the ocean literally carry Wayne away from Cee. Therefore, her memories of the beach are tainted by Wayne's death and disappearance. The water imagery associated with the beach is also representative of nature's indomitably, and simultaneously, the uncontrollable nature of life, time, and death.

Carousel

The carousel off of which Wayne falls to his death is symbolic of the life cycle. The carousel physically moves in repeating circles. In this way, the park ride represents the repetitive nature of what Cee has experienced, and the ways in which both life and death continue to repeat and beget one another.

Ceiling Fan

The ceiling fan that Wayne watches in the hotel room is symbolic of the past. The author uses the fan as a portal out of the narrative present and into scenes from Wayne's...