Fredrick's House

Fredrick's house is symbolic of Charles's childhood past. Throughout the narrative present, Charles constantly expects to hear that Fredrick's house is on fire. His anticipation for this event reveals his belief that his past is crumbling. The house finally burns down at the novel's end when Charles saves Elizabeth, which captures Charles's attempts to reconcile with and move beyond his past.

Penobscot River

The Penobscot River is symbolic of disconnection. The river geographically separates Indian Island, the Penobscot reservation, from the rest of Maine. The river also separates Charles from his former home and his estranged family. The repeated images of Charles staring across the river capture his longing and alienation.

Charles's House

Charles's house is symbolic of entrapment. Charles lives in the diminutive space alone. After he stops working, he begins spending almost all of his time here, watching Elizabeth and Mary across the...