Hamburgers

Hamburgers are symbols of both wealth and poverty. The hamburgers that Mia and her parents imagine they will be able to eat daily in America represent the financial success they believe they will achieve. The burger that they eat at the space center that is so expensive they can only buy one represents wealth. Hank’s hamburgers, which are made with a combination of hamburger meat and crushed up saltine crackers, are a symbol of poverty. Hank and his friends have to make their burgers this way because they cannot afford enough meat.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is a symbol of privilege. When Mia and her parents first move into the motel, Yao tells Mia that she is not allowed to use the pool. Even as a resident at the hotel, Hank has not been allowed to use the pool. It is only after Mia...