Enzo's Stuffed Animal Analysis

Stuffed animals are seen as children's toys and they are characterized as tender and warm. To Enzo, though, Zoë’s stuffed zebra signifies something much greater, it represents the evil that lurks inside every individual, something he learns with time. This symbol haunts Enzo throughout much of the book and it helps him understand the world and people better. Enzo is first terrified of this zebra, but, as he witnesses its effects, he learns what this zebra truly represents and that it is an internal being inside everyone that he should not fear.
Enzo first witnesses the zebra's affects when he is left alone without food or water in his house. The lack of food and water triggers Enzo's animal instincts and the true animal in Enzo rips apart all of Zoë’s stuffed animals, but he thinks the zebra came to life and ripped them apart. Enzo is not aware of his true actions so he is stunned when Denny attempts to hit him, he says, “The demon had possessed the zebra and left me out at the bloody scene with no voice to defend myself- I had been framed” (Stein 57). Enzo is left dumbfounded at the situation at hand and …show more content…
Her zebra inflicts physical pain on her, as she confessed to Enzo, “I need to scream and thrash because it stays away when I scream. When I'm silent, it finds me, it tracks me down and Pierces me and says, 'Now I've got you! Now you belong to me!’” (Stein 66). Eve knows about this demon and she knows that Enzo has had experience with this demon. This allows Eve to ask for Enzo's protection from her demon on her deathbed, “Don't let it happen tonight. Enzo, please. You're the only one who can help” (Stein 127). Unlike others, Enzo has experience with these demons, so he knows what to look out for and he is successful in his mission. Eve lives through the night and she helps Enzo learn more about this demon to the point where he becomes stronger against