Stent
Attenberg explains, “What had started out as tingling had turned into pain…the doctor has inserted a small metal tube- a stent- into her leg, so that the blood could flow properly.” The stent is representative of medical innovation that contributes to redeeming patients, especially those with life-threatening infirmities. In the absence of the stent, Edi would have expired.
Edge
Attenberg writes, “Her (Robin's) father would not be forgiven. She had not liked him much before this happened, though she had loved him, and it did not take much to push her over the edge towards something close to hatred, or at the least the dissolution of love.” The edge is allegorical of the borderline between her affection and loathing for her father. Her fathers’ act of deserting their mother prompts Robin to detest him.
Fat
Attenberg reports, “The howling (Edie’s) and hiding of the hands went on for a while. Neighbours opened their doors and stuck their heads towards the hallway, then closed them when they saw it was just that fat child from 6 D.” The label of fatness is emblematic of the prejudice which big-bodied children encounter. Edie’s supernormal size elicits the label of the ‘fat child,’ which implies that she is unhealthy. Edie’s obesity manifests during her childhood.
