The Shoes

Bridgett had 12 pairs of shoes when she was in first grade, and these symbolize the fact that her mother is able to provide more than just the basics for Bridgett and her siblings. That fact attracts the negative attention of her teacher, who clearly thought Bridgett's parents were involved in some illegal enterprise.

Numbers

Numbers, with a capital N, refers to the business Fannie operated for years, taking small bets on the lottery numbers, and it symbolizes both a better life and instability for the family. The money Fannie earned by taking the bets provided the better life, but the constant fear of police intervention, someone hitting a major payout, or even a robbery created feelings of instability for the family members old enough to understand the dangers.

The Photograph of Fannie and Burt

This photograph of Fannie and Burt symbolizes the fact that Fannie was...