Dust

The dust in the air at the beginning of the story represents death. The narrator describes the dust as itchy and all-encompassing. The largest plot event in the story is that the characters learn that the woman murdered her husband. Thus, the dust pervading the air represents the death of the husband.

The Manuka Bushes

The manuka bushes on the trail towards the woman’s store represents the woman’s personal decline. The manuka bushes are described as being covered with spider webs. This suggests that the bushes have been neglected for a significant amount of time, and the spider webs represent decay. Similarly, the woman has been alone for a long time, was once seen as beautiful, and has lost her beauty due to neglect.

Jo's Song

Jo’s travel song represents Jo’s leadership, because the person who sings travel songs is typically the...