Gone With The Wind (allegory)
Opal reads "Gone With The Wind" by Margaret Mitchell to Gloria Dump. She is inspired by Scarlet O'Hara's party and, when she sees that Scarlet's reasons for throwing the party are similar to her own desires, she decides to throw an outdoor party of her own with the help of Gloria Dump.
The Mistake Tree (symbol)
Gloria Dump has a tree in her backyard covered with dozens of liquor bottles hanging from its branches. The tree symbolizes Gloria's past alcoholism and the regrets that came with it. It is a reminder that she is not defined by her past, but by the decisions she makes in the present.
Littmus Lozenge (symbol)
Littmus Lozenges symbolize the feeling of melancholy. Born from the loneliness that Littmus felt after the Civil War, the lozenges make anyone who tastes them feel a mixture of sadness and happiness. Eating the candy helps Opal more accurately understand what she is feeling about the loss of her mother.
Loss (motif)
Loss is a motif that appears throughout the book. Opal suffers the loss of her mother, as well as the loss of her friends and old town upon her move to Naomi. Other characters suffer from loss as well. Amanda suffers from the loss of her younger brother, Carson, and Otis suffers from the loss of his freedom.
Opal's Mother (symbol)
Opal's mother becomes a symbol of loss and abandonment. She is gone from her daughter's life for so long that she comes to symbolize the pain that her daughter feels. The preacher reacts more negatively to this feeling than Opal does. He pulls away from any reminder of his ex-wife and avoids any opportunity to be sad about her.
