Winter Snow

Snow falls during the winter in the novel. Both winter and snow symbolize death. The snow falls during the winter when the world turns gray, cold, and lifeless. The snow also comes to claim the lives of many animals on the island because they freeze to death. The snow temporarily disorients Brightbill and the other geese as they fly south for the winter, putting their lives in grave danger. The snow is only countered by the lodges that Roz builds to save the animals and by the arrival of warmer temperatures in the spring.

Trees

Trees cover much of the island on which Roz finds herself. Many animals live in the trees, and the trees themselves give Roz great trouble at first. She attempts to find safety and shelter in the trees, but her weight causes her to crash down through the branches. The trees'...