Black ice

The black ice symbolizes what cannot be seen or known. Black ice is responsible for the car accident that kills Madeline, as well as Lenora’s three children. Just as Madeline is unable to see the black ice, the town is unable to see that Lenora needed help raising her children.

Willie Shavers

Willie Shavers is the ventriloquist dummy that Jack works with while he stays with Lottie. The dummy symbolizes the transition of Lenny to Jack. The dummy is left with Lottie in England, suggesting that Lenny is left in England while Jack emerges.

Bathtub

The bathtub in the hotel room where the woman nearly drowns is symbolic of a transitional period in the woman’s life. The woman is staying in the hotel as a treat to get over a bad breakup, but it nearly costs her life. It allows the woman to...