September

September's character symbolizes control. As a young child, and through her adolescent years, September only knows how to show her sister love by forcing her into submission and obedience. Her lively and fierce spirit keeps others from seeing and understanding themselves. Even after her death, her mother and sister remain controlled by her haunting presence.

The Ant Farm

The ant farm July breaks when they first arrive at the Settle House, symbolizes the fractured state of her consciousness. Unable to understand that September has died, July begins living entirely in fantasy. Upset by the broken farm, July feels comforted when her fictitious version of September assures her they will fix the farm. Later they work together to repair the structure, yet the ants continue resurfacing around the house. The author uses the ant farm to illustrate July's attempts to bury the truth of July's absence in...