Dribble (Symbol)
Dribble the turtle is Peter's first pet, and he is an important symbol of responsibility for Peter. Peter's mother warns him as soon as he gets the turtle that he must be the one to care for it, and Peter takes this job extremely seriously, checking on Dribble every day after school and meticulously cleaning his bowl and feeding him. When Fudge swallows Dribble, Peter feels as if he has lost his chance to prove his responsibility to his parents... until they give him Turtle the dog, who takes Dribble's place.
Turtle (Symbol)
Turtle the dog does not appear until the end of the story, but just like Dribble, he is another symbol of responsibility and maturity for Peter. Turtle is especially important because Peter's parents gave him to Peter, as a representation of their love, appreciation, and recognition for the mature way he handles the sacrifices that come with having Fudge as a little brother.
Peter's Lock (Symbol)
The lock on Peter's door symbolizes independence and privacy. These two things are important to all growing children Peter's age, but they are especially significant to Peter because his privacy is often invaded by Fudge. Getting this lock shows that Peter's parents take his privacy seriously, and allows Peter to set boundaries from Fudge.
The Saddle Shoes (Symbol)
The saddle shoes that Peter tries on, and that Fudge ultimately buys, represents the bond between Fudge and Peter that exists even though Fudge sometimes makes Peter's life miserable. Peter tries on the saddle shoes because he knows Fudge looks up to him and wants to be just like him. Sure enough, Fudge agrees to try on the shoes that his big brother is wearing, proving that Fudge sees Peter as a true role model. Peter feels proud that Fudge looks up to him so much, though he does not outwardly show it.
The Project Poster (Symbol)
Peter, Sheila, and Jimmy's project poster about transportation in New York City is a symbol of hard work, cooperation, and teamwork. It is difficult for them to divide the work in a way that plays to everyone's strengths, and to avoid arguing with each other and listen to everyone's ideas, but eventually they overcome this challenge and create a great project. The finished poster is even more important as a symbol of perseverance because Fudge destroyed the first version, and they had to make it all over again. This shows that Peter can handle disappointments and make the best of a bad situation.
