The barricades
The barricades symbolize Dad and Cate’s divorce. The barricades are erected to separate the city and the village. When the barricades are put in place, Cate has the choice of remaining in the rural area or relocating to the city. Cate decides to relocate to the city and separate from her husband. Before the barricades, Cate endured her husband's paranoid behavior and irresponsibility. Consequently, the barricades provide an ultimate opportunity for Cate to divorce Dad and relocate to the city.
Jewellery
Jewellery symbolizes the impact of capitalistic ideas throughout the apocalyptic period. Margo and the narrator struggle to survive because they cannot afford the basic commodities. As a result, the narrator and Margo steal jewelry from shops. Margo and the narrator sell the jewelry they steal to buy food. Margo and the narrator represent what most families go through because a few powerful and influential people control wealth.
The green eyes
The narrator’s green eyes symbolize the traits and skills passed to him by his father. One of these traits is prioritizing family and defensiveness. For instance, when Dad hits a pedestrian, he does not stop because he wants his family to be safe. The other trait the narrator gets from his father is consistency. Despite the obstacles after the death of his mother, the narrator pushes on to excel.
