Pearls

One of the earliest descriptions of Billie Holiday that readers receive is in the first paragraph, when the speaker says, "You boil an egg in twinset and pearls" (1). Pearls are significant in the story because they represent Holiday's image as a performer associated with extravagance and class. Later on in the story, the speaker explains that singing "Strange Fruit" is difficult because "you wear pearls and you throw them before swine, more or less" (10). Pearls therefore come to symbolize not only Holiday's character but also her art, her songs being extravagant pieces that too many of audiences do not appreciate.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes are signifiant to the story because they are the thing Billie Holiday gives to admiring fans when they approach her on the street. "You give it all away," the speaker says, "it streams from you, like rivers rolling to the sea: love, music, money...