Snow

The repeated images of snow throughout the novel symbolize Ree's emotions. Ree uses her ventures outdoors to create distance between herself and her familial stressors, to find a place in which she can process her feelings and thoughts. However, the icy whiteness of her surroundings often appears oppressive and inescapable, therefore acting as a representation of Ree's deeper, unresolved internal frustrations and longings.

Squirrels

The squirrels Ree shows her brothers how to shoot and skin symbolize survival. Ree's determination to teach her brothers how to kill the squirrels, illustrates her concern that Sonny and Harold know how to provide for themselves if something were to happen to her. Teaching them this skill grants Ree the illusion of control, the possibility that the boys will be okay should they have to be on their own.

Shotgun

The shotgun Uncle Teardrop gives Ree symbolizes power. Uncle Teardrop shows...