Candy House (Symbol)
Introduced in Lana and Melora's chapter, the candy house functions as a symbol of a deceptive deal. When they mention this image, they are referring to Napster. They talk about how they wanted to start an ad campaign linking music file-sharing to stories like Hansel and Gretel and King Midas. They make this parallel to say that there is no such thing as a tradeoff in which one party gets something for nothing. In this case, they, correctly, believe that this illegal file sharing will result in a massive loss of personal privacy for those that use it. The candy house comparison works to highlight how people should "never trust a candy house," and steer clear of situations that seem too good to be true.
Mondrian Camouflage (Symbol)
Mondrian is the name of Chris Salazar's company that helps people elude Mandala's data collection efforts. The reader learns in a later chapter that he likely chose this name because his grandmother purchased a large Mondrian painting and never got it insured. She preferred instead to hide it among kitschy Mondrian souvenirs, like potholders and mugs, to suggest the unlikeliness of the painting being real. The objects are described in the following terms: “Her Mondrian merch included candleholders, vases, umbrellas, tea trays, glasses, place mats, towels, throw pillows, framed posters, coffee-table books, and a needlepoint footstool—all of which comprised, in her mind, a deviously impenetrable camouflage.” This description highlights the kind of work Chris's company will go on to do later: assisting people in evading Mandala's data collection by creating fake online personas that conceal their disappearance. Like the "proxies," the souvenirs conceal the real painting with a smokescreen of imitation.
Dungeons and Dragons (Symbol)
The role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons works as a symbol for reinvention in the novel. At the end of Roxy's chapter, she imagines a future in which she finally takes part in Chris's game, asking for help filling out her character sheet. She also notices the way in which people often choose characters who are their complete opposites. Similarly, at the end of Molly's chapter, she is invited to join Chris, Colin, and Lulu in their games. In both cases, the game comes to represent the possibility of a better new life for the characters. For Roxy, sadly, this never comes to fruition. However, for Molly, as evidenced by her continuing to organize and play sessions of Dungeons and Dragons with Chris, the game really did offer her the opportunity to pursue a different life, escaping her unbalanced friendship with Stella and finding a stable one with Chris and Colin.
"x" (Symbol)
In Lincoln's chapter, the mathematical term "x" works as a symbol for the origin of his love story with M. At the end of the section, he describes his inability to figure out what exactly "x" is in their narrative, as there are so many different points that could be identified as the start of their romance. This is particularly powerful, given Lincoln's inability to look at anything outside an analytical lens. In the concluding moments of the chapter, he seems to momentarily let go of the need to count and catalog his feelings.
The Protagonist (Motif)
The motif of the protagonist of a narrative features prominently throughout the novel. In Chris' chapter, the narrator describes his inability to view himself as the central figure in so many of his relationships. He reflects on how he has served as a kind of supporting actor for multiple people including his ex Pamela, his friend Colin, and, most recently, his coworker Comstock. He notes that this struggle is likely what led to him being stuck with Comstock's girlfriend's suitcase, as his inability to not go along with the demands of others is rooted in not seeing himself as the protagonist.
