Beetles

Beetles symbolize hope in the novel. As a child, Margery’s obsession with beetles soothes her and allows her to forget her tragic past. Her hobby, beetle-catching, is one of the only things she feels secure in. Her obsession with beetles soothes her and allows her to forget her tragic past. Finding the beetle signifies the fulfilment of Margery’s goal.

Guns

Guns symbolize Margery’s trauma. Margery lost her father and all four of her brothers at the hands of guns. When Enid tells her she brought a gun on the expedition, Margery has an anxiety attack. Evidently, she cannot bear the sight of the weapon which is responsible for so much of the grief she holds onto.

Boots

Margery’s boots symbolize shame in the novel. Margery’s threadbare boots—the only pair of shoes she owns—represent not only her poverty, but the...