Barbie

In the novel, Barbie represents exclusionary dynamics of mass media. The narration occasionally digresses from the main narrative to offer facts relating to Barbie dolls, specifically the ways in which they are homogenous and exclusionary regarding race, body type, and other characteristics. These dynamics reflect ways in which mass media is often exclusionary towards minorities.

Protagonist’s Death

The protagonist’s death symbolizes the deeply destructive nature of racial prejudice. The protagonist is murdered in her driveway by an on-duty police officer, despite the fact that she is a peaceful and law-abiding citizen. The novel’s consistent focus on racial prejudice allows the reader to infer that the police’s actions were motivated by racial prejudice, similar to the various other difficulties that the protagonist has with police profiling.

Greta

Greta, the family’s pet dog, symbolizes the pain of loss. The protagonist, her husband, and...