Mothers

There are multiple examples of mothers and newborns throughout the novel. On one hand, they show the lengths that nature, and mother's in general, are willing to go for their children. For Ann, in particular, the multiple examples of motherhood are meant to symbolize both her own relationship with her mother, and the child she was forced to give up. Anna comes to respect her mother more over the course of the novel because of this.

Turtle Island

Turtle Island represents new beginnings. For Anna in particular, it marks the start of a brand new life where she can build herself into whoever she wants to be. However, the island is also the start for a lot of life. Thousands of turtle babies make the trek to the ocean every year. Thousands of birds nest until migration in the winter. Even Hamish, the first-ever baby born...