Music

Music is a central symbol repeated throughout the novel and represents the power of the natural world to awaken humans to the beauty around them. Jake interprets the buzzing of the beehives as music, and is even able to pick up on the G-sharp emitted by the queen. As his relationship with the bees deepens, he becomes increasingly less interested in the music he was once passionate about. Instead of listening to music on his iPhone, Jake chooses to tune into the music of the natural world around him.

Mohawk

Jake's record-setting mohawk symbolizes his old set of identities prior to his injury. Before he became a paraplegic, Jake defined himself by his affiliation with punk rockers and the counter culture, which he displayed outwardly by his hair style. But as his character evolves, he chooses to shave the mohawk, signifying that he has left his...