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Pencil Eraser

This object symbolizes the wish to escape from the confines of conflict. When Jake draws one of his ubiquitous battle scenes near the beginning of the novel, he draws a series of circles around "the little figure" (14). At first, he thinks the circles should represent a forcefield to keep the figure safe. Thinking better of his first idea, however, Jake uses this object to remove all signs of the figure's presence, before thinking, "There. You're safe now, wherever you are" (14).

Packet of Special Things

This object symbolizes the need for order in a chaotic world. After Neil's mother Rebecca dies and the family goes through her belongings, Neil asks his father Tom if he can have this object. Tom says that of course he can, at which point Neil carries this object absolutely everywhere with him, adding items to it as he struggles to deal with...

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