The Emails

Emails symbolize the lengths to which Frankie is willing to go to end the relationship between Robert and Ayanna. When the tone of the emails change from Frankie trying to dissuade Ayanna, they symbolize the fact that Frankie needs someone to talk to and that Ayanna is able and willing to fill that role.

The Science Report

Frankie ignores this project when she should have been working on it, which symbolizes the changes she is going through in her personal life. The fact that she writes the report on naked mole-rats symbolizes how much information she has gathered from talking to Ayanna via emails.

The Naked Mole-Rats

These are creatures in the National Zoo. They symbolize a closed society that has no outside connections. They change only when Ayanna creates a change for them.

The Dulcimer

Robert makes dulcimers, and Frankie discovers a beautiful one...