48 pages • 1 hour read
If It Makes You Happy
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Symbols & Motifs
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.
Copper Run
Copper Run is a symbol of home and belonging. Located “in the middle of nowhere, Vermont” (29), Copper Run is a quintessential New England town defined by its tightly knit community. Michelle’s description of the setting showcases its idyllic atmosphere: “A quaint park, lined with shops, is covered in hay bales and pumpkins. Orange-and-white bunting hangs between lampposts. A white gazebo, smack-dab in the center of the park, is wrapped in orange string lights and a garland of autumn leaves” (30). The town has a cozy, postcard feel, which most of its residents and visitors cherish. Michelle is initially skeptical of this small-town vibe because she is accustomed to the industrial urban bustle of Seattle. Over time, however, Copper Run’s rustic charm works its way into Michelle’s heart and offers her a newfound sense of stability.
Cliff values Copper Run for its community and familiarity. He knows that someone like Tracy felt trapped in the town but does not understand her point of view. Michelle’s views of Copper Run initially align with Tracy’s: She sees the townspeople as nosy and invasive and the quiet predictability of Copper Run as static and dull. Over time, she realizes that the townspeople are friendly and supportive and Copper Run’s constancy offers security. She chooses to remain in Copper Run with Cliff because he and the town have transformed her sense of home and belonging.
Bird & Breakfast
Birdie’s inn, the Bird & Breakfast, is a symbol of new beginnings. When Michelle first arrives in Copper Run, she does not plan to stay long; she will only run her late mother’s business until her sister, Sara, is ready to take over, according to Birdie’s dying wishes. Michelle sees the inn as her mother’s dream and Sara’s inheritance, and thus a diversion from her own path to personal success. However, Michelle’s regard for her mother’s business changes after only a few weeks in town. Running the Bird & Breakfast offers her new opportunities for connection. She is able to apply her business acumen and advertising knowhow to the job, while developing new hospitality and culinary skills. The Bird & Breakfast redefines her sense of meaning and purpose, and ushers her into a new phase of life. She ultimately takes over the business when Sara admits that she wants to commit to her art full time. Michelle accepts this change of plans because running the inn these past months has transformed her outlook on herself, her future, and her lasting happiness.
Rocket
Michelle’s dog, Rocket, is a symbol of change and growth. The dog’s storyline runs in parallel with Michelle and Cliff’s romantic storyline. When Michelle first gets her ex-husband’s dog after her divorce, she does not care for Rocket and believes the dog doesn’t like her either. Over time, she warms to Rocket and he becomes a good companion. The same is true of Michelle’s relationship with Cliff. When they first meet, Michelle is unsure what to make of his hospitality and buoyancy, but Cliff ends up endearing himself to her. Later, Rocket bites Brittany and causes division between Michelle and Cliff; they have to get over this incident to get back together. The dog is a constant presence in their romance, and mirrors the couple’s gradual progress from hesitant friends to enthusiastic lovers.
Birdie’s Binder and Letter
The binder and letter Birdie leaves behind for Sara are symbols of legacy. When Michelle first “crack[s] open Mom’s thick instructional binder,” she is overwhelmed by how “Everything is so…her. The floral scrapbook paper. The thin cursive. The Sharpie ink hasn’t blurred along the edges yet, like she could have written this yesterday” (57). The binder reminds Michelle of her mother and thus that her mother is gone. When she sees that the binder and enclosed letter are specifically addressed to Sara, Michelle feels left out; she is forced to acknowledge her exclusion from Birdie and Sara’s relationship and Birdie’s legacy. Throughout the novel, Michelle often thinks of the address on the letter—the two words “Dear Sara…” (57) repeating in her mind whenever she feels out of place in Copper Run or discouraged by the inn. She sees the binder and letter as evidence that her mother didn’t love or trust her.
Michelle’s perspective on the binder and letter changes at the end of the novel. Sara shows Michelle the letter, which surprisingly contains an entreaty to Sara to care for Michelle. The letter’s contents show Michelle that she is a vital part of her mother’s legacy and will have an essential role in keeping it alive.
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