Knife

The knife is a symbol of deception. Melissa’s suspicion that her children are deceiving her regarding Patrick’s injuries is confirmed when the knife used to stab Patrick disappears from the crime scene. Melissa attempts to deceive the detectives by removing this knife from the kitchen, where Lewis hid it, and burying it in the forest. The knife is used deceptively a third time when Bill digs up the knife and plants it in Ryan’s house, making it appear that he is guilty of hurting Patrick.

Red Mark

The red mark is a symbol of foreboding. When Sandy jumps up on Melissa and leaves a red mark on Melissa’s shirt, Melissa thinks that the red came from a jar of chili sauce. The reader feels this sense of foreboding because he knows the red mark is probably Patrick’s blood.

Family Portrait Poster