Barbecue Sauce

At the beginning of the narrative, readers learn that Deese is very particular about the barbecue sauce he uses for his barbecues. Then they discover that he uses the sauce to cook the human body parts he eats. The barbecue sauce symbolizes how perfection on the surface can hide the terrible things that are underneath.

Snakes

Deese's housekeeper warns the authorities that there are snakes in the swamp behind Deese's house. The snakes symbolize unexpected events that can come up and bite the characters by derailing their plans. These events can lead to physical harm and death as the raid does for both Lucas and the gang members.

Howell Paine

Howell Paine is the man Smith hires Deese to hurt. His name symbolizes what happens to both him and Deese as they both howl in pain. His character symbolizes a snake that bites Deese because...