Cross

A Cross is requested by Marion to be placed at the head of his grave in accordance with Christian custom. The Cross will be a part of Marion’s overall Christian burial, which Tarwater refuses to complete at the insistence of the voice. The voice encourages Tarwater to dispense with the Cross, for it will do nothing but rot by Judgment Day. In a sense, this becomes metaphorical for the actions of the Devil, who seeks to undermine the efforts of Christ.

Matches

Matches are carried by Tarwater throughout the novel. He uses them to light fires, including the fire that burns down the house at Powderhead. He uses them to set fire to the patch of ground on which he is raped, and uses them to create a torch which is then taken to set a large swath of the woods near Powderhead on fire.

Hearing Aid