Symbols are an indirect suggestion that expresses facts or emotions. The main character Neil is mostly expressed through symbols that eventually displays his true emotions. From his fear of chicken and ducks that correlates with a larger fear of his father going to war; to the handkerchief which is portrayed as sign of sadness and also later in the story it’s shown that his dad uses it to stop the bleeding. Moreover, when Neil unknowingly acts out like he is in war and is surviving from the enemy, his dad this particular scene foreshadows his father future in the war. Lastly, the photograph which in the beginning establishes a framework for his story and a reflection of how he regrets that his dad last memories with him could have been cheerful.
