Hummingbird

The hummingbird holds numerous symbolic significances throughout the novel. However, most notably it represents the beauty and miraculousness of nature and the importance of ecological preservation. After researching the hummingbird to find out more about it, Jane learned that the hummingbird and its sheer existence was a miracle. Jane also noted that the bird was "everything I was not", referencing its size and fragility, however, she felt a connection to its toughness for withstanding the elements of nature. The hummingbirds also feasted on a flower with alkaloids that were hallucinogenic to humans, and the alkaloids of that flower were what was in the syringe, and were ultimately responsible for killing Silvina.

Salamander

The salamander holds various symbolic meanings throughout the novel. For Jane, the salamander is symbolic of her childhood and the good times she spent with her brother Ned on the farm. Upon receiving the...