Old Grandfather clock
At the beginning of the novel and her narration, Dora points attention to the old grandfather clock in their house, which finally seems to be working properly and coincidentally just on the day of their birthday. We later discover that this grandfather clock is their Grandma heritage and it has a history of traveling half the world together with Grandma after the twins and returning back home. The fact that the clock works properly on this special day proves to be a symbolism of family reunion and forgiveness and acceptance that takes place later on.
Randolph's paper crown
Melchior inherits his father's paper crown and it becomes the most precious possession out of them all, even more important than their living relatives. It seems as though Melchior inherited his father's madness and obsession with Shakespeare and performing together with the crown. The crown is, therefore, a living symbolism of Hazard' madness.
Stage
Needless to say that the novel's main motif is stage. Love for the stage, Melchior inherits from his father and through him his two real and illegitimate daughters. Dora and Nora, knowingly or unknowingly, follow in their father's footsteps and start performing on the stage as dancers from a young age. The similarity of their professions, unavoidably, brings father and daughters closer; one could suspect that the Chance sisters love for stage is their subconscious desire to be close to their father.
