What do the fossils Molly finds represent in the novel, The Need?

The fossils that Molly finds symbolize the intersection between fragility and resilience. Molly finds a nearly complete fossil of an extinct plant. Although the plant itself is long gone, the fossil stands as proof of its existence. These dynamics apply to Molly, for while she often feels fragile and precarious, she is ultimately quite tenacious in her determination to protect her children.