Baseball bat

An aluminum baseball bat is purchased by George Wilson of “Breaking and Entering” for his son. It is later used by George Wilson to defend himself against the black teen who breaks into his home and tries to attack him. Wilson’s use of the bat kills the teen, and his death creates a media firestorm.

Owl

An owl, symbolizing the freedom of youth through flight, is encountered by the narrator and his girlfriend in the story “Bird-Watching at Night.” The girlfriend breaks up with the narrator because the narrator thinks he is an owl. Now older, the narrator realizes he misses the owl more than the girl.

Blanket

A blanket, symbolizing the rejection of the past by some American Indians, is gifted to the narrator of “War Dances” to help warm up his father in the hospital. The blanket is sung and prayed over...