Milk (symbol)
We know all the miraculous functions of milk. Since the childhood, parents tell us to drink milk, because it is so useful. However, this is a great shock and surprise, when the reader learns the probability of death of Katie’s baby. Milk from the farm, which Katie constantly drinks while being pregnant provokes listeriosis (a dangerous infectious disease). In this case, the milk, from which Katie’s baby could suffer, is a symbol of sickness and even death.
Church (symbol)
Every week the Amish go to church to pray. They pray, when they start doing something. They pray before supper and they even pray, when something good happens. However, the church is their house. There the Amish can thank God for their harvest or ask for forgiveness for their sins to God. The church symbolizes not only religion, but also honesty and devotion. There is no place for lies.
Civilization, modern world (motifs)
On the Amish farm, there are no telephones, no TV sets, and no internet. Yes, they do not even have electricity. Of course, some of the inhabitants do not mind living such a life, but Katie decides to find out the whole world by visiting her brother for a while. She does everything that religion forbids her. Katie learns this world, but her freedom has bad consequences. We see what can happen to a person, if he or she lives not in the meantime and far from the modern world. Katie quickly blends in a new society, but she is not so wise and experienced to live there.
