Both Sides

The author utilizes the game Both Sides as a symbol for the divergence of Sam and Sadie’s experiences in California. Both Sides is one game with two parallel realities, the player can exist in the reality of Mapletown or Myre Landing. Similarly, when Sam and Sadie move to Los Angeles, they share the same city but have two experiences of reality. Sam is living in isolation and pain as he recovers from surgery. Conversely, Sadie feels joyful and creative in the west coast city.

The Handcuffs

The handcuffs that Dov uses during sex with Sadie serve as a symbol for his control over her. During intimate encounters, Dov handcuffs Sadie to the bed without her consent. He later uses the cuffs to keep her in the apartment while he plays Ichigo. Similarly, when they are dating, Sadie feels unable to articulate her emotions and...