The Snow
The snow, which instigates Richard and Evelyn's accident, is an important symbol in the novel. The snow, which neither Evelyn nor Lucia had seen much of in their lives because of where they grew up, symbolizes the uncharted territories each of the characters find themselves in. Richard, for instance, wrestles with what to do about the dead body Evelyn has in her trunk. For him, the snow is both an opportunity and a curse. It obscures things (including unsavory activity, like the man's dead body in Evelyn's trunk), but also makes everything it touches unique. It is author Isabel Allende's way to give the story more magic.
Lucia's home
At the start of the novel, Lucia's beloved home is portrayed as her sanctuary. It is a place where she takes "refuge from" the "Siberian storm that seems to have struck Brooklyn in error" and her sanctuary from the ills of the world -- or at least she thought. Whenever it snowed in Lucia's apartment, she relished in the fact that she would be safe, but questioned if her landlord kept up his end of their agreement and kept the apartment insulated from extreme weather. Her home, which once was a sanctuary, quickly comes to symbolize the transformative effects one event -- in this case, Evelyn's appearance into her life -- can have on someone's life. Lucia, Evelyn, and Richard begin to meet about and discuss Evelyn's problem in her apartment, setting off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Lucia and Richard unexpectedly falling in love.
Cooking
For Lucia, cooking is a symbol of her ingenuity. She is a woman of very limited means, yet always finds the time to cook herself elaborate and healthy dishes. She uses the time she spends cooking those dishes as a way to essentially meditate on past friendships, her new experiences in the United States, and her own history. For her, cooking is an important tool she uses for self-discovery and contemplation.
Richard doing unexpectedly good things
At the start of the novel, Richard is portrayed as a bumbling, but largely well-meaning man. Although he doesn't keep Lucia's apartment in top-notch shape, it is clear that he cares for her. That's why, when Allende reveals Richard's backstory, a motif develops: she often reveals an unexpected good thing he does. For instance, Allende reveals that Richard knows Portuguese and Spanish. She likewise reveals the lengths he is --and has been-- willing to go to help other people. This reinforces the idea that he is a good man willing to do anything for the people he cares about.
