Fish

Dead, raw fish symbolize Rachel’s unwelcomeness within Singapore’s elite. When Rachel innocently refers to Nick as a “catch,” Francesca leaves a dead fish in Rachel’s bungalow with a note reading “CATCH THIS, YOU GOLD-DIGGING CUNT” (266). Eleanor and Francesca refer to fish in conversation throughout the novel to covertly tell Rachel that she does not belong among the upper crust. Throughout the novel, the references to dead fish bring to mind the idiomatic phrases dead meat or a fish out of water, highlighting that Rachel is not welcome in their inner circle and that she will be victim to them as long as she remains with Nick.

Blue jay

The bird that repeatedly pecks at the bulletproof glass wall at Colin’s house symbolizes attempting the impossible. Colin tells Nick to stop wallowing in his post-breakup misery and be like the blue jay—meaning...