School
School symbolizes a bright future. When Tansy discovers that Russel does not want to finish grade eight, she decides to do anything possible to ensure he finishes his studies up to university. Tansy is not going to stop on anything until Russel graduates from university. Tansy knows that without education, Russel will become a useless member of society. Therefore, Tansy does everything until Russel graduates from university. After Russel graduates, he becomes a role model to his younger brother Lloyd.
Gleaming steel threshers
The gleaming steel threshers represent Russel’s ambition to drop out of school. Russel and his friend Charlie Parr hate school because they want to flee to Dakotas to do any job that can enable them to generate income. According to Russel, school wastes his dream. When Russel hears that his teacher Mrs. Myrt has died, he hopes the board will close down the school so that he can actualize his plan.
The pointer
The pointer symbolizes Tansy's authority as a teacher. When Mrs. Myrt is about to be buried, Tansy takes the pointer from her because she wants to resume her role as a teacher. According to Tansy, the pointer is valuable, and there is no way she can accept Mrs. Myrt to be buried with it. When Tansy takes Mrs. Myrt's role as the new teacher, she uses the pointer as an emblem of authority.
