Dirt Island

Dirt Island, the plot of land where Eileen grew up, is symbolic of autonomy. Eileen leaves Dirt Island after getting pregnant and married, because she has been rejected from her family. When she later inherits a portion of Dirt Island, she refuses to give it up in spite of Richard's cruelty and violence. In maintaining her rights to the land, she is asserting her place in the family and her autonomy over her body, her life, and her story.

Manuscript

Josh's manuscript is symbolic of story. Throughout Saoirse's adulthood, she convinces herself that she is not allowed to write her own story. She therefore agrees to help Josh write the story of her life and her family's life. However, once she sees the manuscript, she confronts Josh. In this way she is claiming her right to her own story and its representation.

Bungalow

The bungalow...