Symbols

Symbol: in general terms, anything that stands for something else. Obvious examples are flags, which symbolize a nation; the cross is a symbol for Christianity; Uncle Sam a symbol for the United States. In literature, a symbol is expected to have significance.

Again, I wonder if one character can act as a symbol for another one--maybe, Pearl is not a symbol for Toby but rather a mirror that enables Toby to better articulate, and see, who he is. Simply put, by is Toby better able to understand himself when he sees Pearl engage the same problems or has the same thoughts as he does?

Also--Pearl, the character, has not known Toby from the start of his life, so how can she be a symbol for him?

However, I want to clarify a few points:
1.) I offer you the notion that Wolff's memoir, This Boy's Life, acts as a memoir from his life. A life that starts on page four of the text--but again, I will ask where does a story start. Wolff begins his memoir at much later age when he has the ability to look back and reflect upon what was his life.
2.) Wolff arranges his book in the same manner that Skipper re-constructs his life--thinking about what we know about Skipper and his car, how does this impact our understanding of both symbols.

I hope this helps a little bit.

Best,
AK