The West

Robert moves ever westward, which symbolizes distance from his brutal childhood, the tragedy of his parents' deaths, and his own guilt. When he reaches the ocean, he realizes he has to turn around and go back or learn to live with himself here, but Molly points out that he could have taken a ship and continued his journey, making it clear that the California coast was literally as far west as Robert needed to go.

The Golden Pippin Seeds

Martha brings several seeds from Golden Pippin apples, and these seeds represent hope for Robert. He also comes to see the seeds as a symbol of home, saying he does not yet know where he will plant them, but that he will know the right place when he sees it.

The Golden Pippin Apples

This is the variety of apple that James favors, and it symbolizes...