Pen Pal

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of pregnancy loss, graphic violence, death, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

Kayla’s wedding ring is a key symbol. It functions as a major point of contention between her and Aidan and a source of internal conflict for Kayla. As the novel progresses, her wedding ring is what indicates to Aidan that Kayla is in a complicated situation, prompting the concern that instigates their relationship. Then, Aidan begins to see the wedding ring as an impediment to their relationship, taking it as a symbol of Kayla’s intention to get back together with Michael, whom Aidan does not know is “dead.” However, for Kayla, the wedding ring is a source of confusion and frustration, as she does not understand until Purgatorio how much weight the ring carries for her.

Kayla’s wedding ring is a complex symbol. It represents Kayla’s denial of her death, her denial of the abuse she faced in her marriage, and the difficulty of moving on after a significant relationship. When Kayla finally realizes that she is dead, she buries the wedding ring with her marriage certificate and the sonogram of her child, uniting all three as a representation of Kayla’s life.