Blood

In "Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare," recurring images of blood are symbolic of violence. The blood first appears when Sadie gets her period. Over the following years, Sadie continues to bleed heavily throughout her cycles. The blood reifies the violence of birth and procreation.

Pig

In "Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare," the pig the family hits with their car is symbolic of bad luck. Although the family pays the incident little mind, years later, Sadie attributes her misfortune to this incident in the Pali. The pig is therefore also a symbol of the legends and ancestral past that shape many of the characters' lives.

Men

In "Story of Men," Men is symbolic of loneliness. Although Men is her own individual, when Leimomi finds her, she is convinced that Men will save her from her circumstances. The author uses Men's character as a way to...