Aiden’s Red Coat

Information in the novel indicates that the image of this red coat in the river represents lost innocence but it appears also to represent loss in general. It represents Emma’s loss of her son and Aiden’s loss of his life as he knew it.

A Doll

This doll, a gift from Amy to Emma for her new baby, appears at first to be a symbol of friendship and forgiveness. Emma has accepted that Aiden is gone, has forgiven Amy, and has even made friends with her. Later, the doll comes to represent the difference in Emma’s life from the time of her baby shower to just a couple of weeks later after Aiden was found. Emma had felt strong, secure and excited about her baby before Aiden was found. After she deals with Aiden and becomes more and more paranoid...