Wilderness

The wilderness is symbolic of the unknown. When Lamentations first flees the settlement, she regards the wilderness as a dangerous place because she is unfamiliar with it. However, venturing into this realm ultimately affords Lamentations new revelations about herself, her past, and her future.

The Settlement

The settlement is symbolic of entrapment. Although the settlement afforded Lamentations a semblance of family and community, the place ultimately only augmented her powerlessness. Fleeing the settlement therefore grants her a sense of autonomy and liberation for the first time in her life.

Bess

Bess's character is a symbol of loss. Throughout the entirety of Bess's short life, Lamentations devotes herself to the child. Therefore her death is devastating for Lamentations. The author has Bess's presence haunt the narrative present so as to reify Lamentations' loss and sorrow throughout her wanderings.

Ducks

The ducks that Lamentations finds in the wilderness...