The Red Flower

Though the red flower from Tierney’s dreams is a mysterious symbol for the majority of the novel, Tierney eventually comes to understand it as symbolic of women’s solidarity. The five-petaled red flower is seen both inside and outside of Garner County, as those who attend the usurper’s secret meetings use it as an indication of their involvement in said meetings. When Tierney comes back to the county expecting to be shamed for her pregnancy, this flower is flashed to show her that many of the women in the county support her. Thus, the flower becomes a comfort for Tierney to see, as it reminds her that she has women who stand with her.

The Red Ribbon

The red ribbon that the grace year girls must wear not only represents that they have reached their sixteenth year, but ultimately symbolizes sin. Because...