Rucksack
The novel opens with a heavy rucksack that contains rocks. Shy is trying to escape while carrying it. The heavy rucksack is symbolic of the weighty emotional and psychological baggage that Shy must bear in his life. He cannot leave the baggage behind.
Rocks
Rocks are a symbol of strength. The narrator explains, “This is what they make army cadets do. Go for walks with rocks on their backs.” Therefore, the army cadets have the option of getting strong while carrying the rocks or sinking. Shy believes in the potential of becoming strong as a result of carrying rocks in a rucksack. Accordingly, he does not want to take it off because it would be tantamount to violating the rules.
A ghost
A ghost is symbolic of haunting memories. Porter writes, “Amanda said she believed him about the ghost in his room.” The ghost he sees is that of a teenage girl wearing old-fashioned clothes. Most likely, Shy had an encounter with this girl sometime back. Her memories have never left him. The memories have transformed into a ghost that lingers in his room.
Men’s World
Beneath Shy’s mattress, there is “a copy of Men’s World.” The magazine features Jo Guest, who is donning white underwear. The magazine is a symbol of the manhood that Shy craves because the images it contains are engraved on his mind. He has gone through the magazine a thousand times because of what it represents: ideal manhood.
Time
Shy is struggling with his sense of time. Porter writes, “time is something to get wasted and escaped from.” Shy feels that time has been bullying and taunting him. Therefore, he wishes to pass out, and when he wakes up, time will have passed. Shy’s view of time shows that he is struggling with his sense of being. Accordingly, he can no longer rely on time because it is unreliable.
