The Memory Book

This memory book symbolizes Katie's efforts to help Mary retain her memories and Katie's efforts to accept her own emerging sexuality. Katie writes down things Mary tells her to help her remember. She writes down her own thoughts, too, much like a diary. Katie uses this to tell Caroline that she is gay.

Unbecoming

"Unbecoming" is a rather dated term that symbolizes how Mary's family felt about her behavior and later, how Katie feels about her own behavior. The word conveys the idea of behavior that is unacceptable based on current societal norms, and Mary's behavior in becoming pregnant out of wedlock was “unbecoming,” while Katie feels her decision to live an openly gay lifestyle is also “unbecoming.”

The Family Tree

Katie creates a family tree that symbolizes her desire for an extended family and her feelings about families in general. By contrast, Caroline...