Sunshine

Sunshine holds two significant symbolic meanings in the novel. Lindy is the first representation of sunshine. For the narrator, Lindy is his sunshine. She is what gets him going and lights up his life as a young boy. His infatuation grows from innocent glances stolen from under the window blind to pornographic drawings and phone sex. He follows her through her persona changes, adapting his clothing, hairstyles and music choices to mirror whatever Lindy chooses. He has watched her change from the carefree, athletic girl down the street to a sullen, withdrawn and angry soul. He desperately wants to be closer to her and he very much wants to make things better following her rape. He believes that if he can solve the crime for her, she will be happier and perhaps acknowledge him as being "for" her.

On a larger scale, the Louisiana state song...