Water by the Spoonful

by

Quiara Alegría Hughes

Water by the Spoonful Symbols

The Ghost

The Ghost primarily functions as symbol of the guilt that Elliot carries with him. The Ghost looks like the first man Elliot killed in Iraq, usually appearing and standing some distance away, watching Elliot and…

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Water

Water represents life—primarily as an individual’s capacity to give, sustain, and enjoy life. When Odessa is a young mom, she cares for her children who have been dehydrated by the flu by giving them each…

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Yaz’s Piano

Yaz’s Steinway grand piano is both a literal and physical representation of the life she has built for herself after leaving the barrio. It is the instrument she uses to express herself and…

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