Red River

The Red River is symbolic of time and life cycles. The river is a feature of the Red River Valley region where the novel is set, and thus appears throughout the narrative. This is where both Kismet and Gary consider dying by suicide, where Travis dies, and where Eric puts Jordan's body. The river is thus a force that represents the power of the natural world and the passage of time.

The Accident

The accident is symbolic of trauma. Throughout the majority of the novel, the characters avoid talking about the accident. Their fear of confronting what happened captures the negative effects that trauma has on the human psyche. The accident is also a narrative device used to create tension and mystery.

Kismet and Gary's House

Kismet and Gary 's house is symbolic of entrapment. After Kismet gets married and moves here, she effectively gives...