The Snake

Throughout the novel, the snake symbolizes Alex herself, as qualities of the snake represent Alex’s own cunning, deceptive, and even at times violent nature. Alex sees herself as a snake because Hellie once told her she’s “Got a little viper lurking in there, ready to strike” (195); however, it is a part of Alex that she associates with her past self. In order to fit in at Yale, Alex hides the snake within her and tries to behave. However, the snake comes out when Alex has to become both aggressive and devious in order to solve Tara’s murder case.

The Butterfly

In a flashback to Alex’s past, the symbol of the butterfly represents her youth and innocence. While the butterfly’s beauty represents the purity and happiness of childhood, the fragility of the butterfly represents how easily that was destroyed for Alex...