Opium
Opium is the symbol of the overwhelming drug addiction that has crippled the residents of Everton. Emma's lovely brother is the victim of drug addiction. When Emma returns from California, she finds out that her brother has just left the rehabilitation center. Emma is also saddened to learn that her high school friend, Crystal, is missing because of her opium addiction. The number of rehabilitation centers also keeps increasing, signifying that drug addiction is a serious problem.
Capriciousness
The police symbolize capriciousness. When Emma goes to ask for help from the police to help in tracing Crystal’s whereabouts, the police say that they are not interested in that matter. Therefore, the police are undependable and negligent at the same time because they want to be pushed to do their job.
Emma’s stuffed room in California
Emma's stuffed room in California symbolizes suffering. When Emma dropped out of school, she was employed, but the job did not last long. When Emma lost her job, she found it difficult to sustain herself, and life turned for the worst. She found herself living in a stuffy room.
