Symbols

Eleanor’s Glasses: When Violet puts her sister's glasses down, it represents that she is 

starting to accept her death and let go of her sadness to recover and move on.

Eleanor's (Violet's sister) Glasses

The Ledge: The ledge is the symbol in the beginning of the book that represents both 

Violet’s and Finch’s suicidal behaviour. Violet goes on the ledge of the bell tower 

due to the grief she was facing from her sister. However, Finch helps her get off the 

ledge which is a symbolic action because it represents him helping her throughout the 

book to recover from her past. As well during the falling action, Violet mentions to her 

parents that Theodore is on the ledge which foreshadows that something terrible is 

going to happen.

Theodore Finch At The Ledge 

Running and Sleep: Running was Theodore’s way of coping with his pain as he hated going to sleep and needed to stay awake. He referred to "sleeping" as being in very severe and dark depression. Theodore occupies himself by running and doing as much as possible to stay alive. On the other hand, Violet loved to sleep as it was a way for her to escape from her reality for awhile. She did not have to worry about her struggles and the loss of her sister. It was interesting to see how both characters coped with their problems and switch roles by the end of the story. Violets learns to chase her dreams by continuing her passion in writing and Finch ultimately commits suicide and enters an eternal sleep.

Theodore Staying Awake

Violet's Escape