Gabriel's Grillz

Gabriel's grillz symbolize status. After Gabriel becomes more involved with the South Killy gang, he buys himself the grillz, and even wears them to his university lectures. To Gabriel, the grillz are a representation of the indomitable gang reputation he has built in his neighborhood. When he is attacked at a fast food restaurant and loses the grillz, Gabriel is furious, a piece of himself now gone.

Gabriel's Parents' Home

Gabriel's parents' home symbolizes familiarity. When Gabriel is 17, contentions with his parents lead him to flee his childhood home. The space does not feel comfortable to him, and seems to challenge his understanding of himself. However, when Gabriel begins experiencing complications in his opposing life on the streets, he longs for his familial home, returning to the space when he needs to remember who he is. On one occasion, his return causes him to realize...