Zero

In “What Can You Do with a General,” the pet dog Zero symbolizes aging and mortality. John and his family own a dog named Zero, who is increasingly frail in his old age. The dog even has a surgically implanted pacemaker to help keep him alive. Zero potentially functions as a reminder of John’s own increasing age and mortality.

Underwear

In “Los Angeles,” underwear symbolizes sexuality and vulnerability. After Oona sells her underwear to a man, Alice begins doing the same thing in order to supplement her income. The venture makes Alice squeamish, and she even fears for her life in the final scene, when she accidentally becomes locked in a car with a buyer.

Drugs

Drugs appear in several stories—“Menlo Park,” “Make the Knife,” and “A/S/L”—and symbolize despair of lack of self-control. These stories all contain examples of characters who...