47 pages • 1-hour read
One Came Home
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Symbols & Motifs
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence and death.
Pigeons
Pigeons and the pigeon migration of 1871 offer context to the historical timeframe of the novel, and they also symbolize The Inevitability of Change. At the beginning of the novel, Georgie notes that the pigeon migration feels different from other years, and in the author’s note, Timberlake clarifies that the 1871 pigeon migration was much larger than those in the past. Thus, this different migration is a representation of the big changes in Georgie’s life in 1871.
The pigeons themselves also represent the differences between Georgie and Agatha. While Georgie views the pigeons as prey to be hunted, Agatha is fascinated by the birds’ beauty and immerses herself in the experience of the migration. For instance, when flocks of the pigeons fly over Placid, Georgie is irritated by the inconvenience, while Agatha places herself in the middle of the action and twirls joyfully beneath the birds. This shows her curiosity and passion for life, which relates to her choice to leave home in pursuit of the life she wants—she refuses to be forced into submission.
Georgie also leaves home as a result of the effects of the pigeon migration, but instead of seeking life, she does so to investigate Agatha’s supposed death. This aligns with Georgie’s hunting skills, which makes the pigeons a symbol of how she defines herself in terms of her ability with a rifle. Overall, though the pigeons only appear a few times in the novel, their steady presence as a Wisconsin phenomenon makes them an integral part of Georgie and Agatha’s character arcs.
Placid and Dog Hollow
The fictional towns of Placid and Dog Hollow are the two main settings of the novel, and each town symbolizes different parts of Georgie’s character arc. As an adjective, “placid” is a synonym for “serene” and “peaceful,” and this fits how Georgie views her hometown, and it also encapsulates her ideal way of being. The town’s general peace and quiet are disrupted during the pigeon migration, which is why Georgie dislikes this time. In her quest to maintain order, Georgie takes action when she witnesses Billy kissing Agatha. Georgie wants the family’s life to return to the calm she previously felt before Agatha started pulling away from the family; Georgie wants her life to echo her hometown’s name. While Georgie is on her journey, she thinks back with nostalgia on her life in Placid. She realizes that even during the times when she felt annoyed by how Agatha’s life was changing, their lives in Placid were indeed peaceful compared to the struggles and uncertainties Georgie experiences on her journey. At the end of the novel, when Georgie returns home to Placid, she finds a new peace. Thus, Placid lives up to its name for her.
In contrast, Dog Hollow is a symbol of The Difficulty of Finding the Truth. From the moment Placid’s sheriff returns with the body believed to be Agatha’s, Georgie believes Dog Hollow holds the answers to the truth about Agatha’s disappearance. The town is only a few days away, but Georgie believes it is a lawless, dangerous place that sealed Agatha’s fate. However, when she gets there, Georgie realizes that her expectations do not match reality. Dog Hollow is similar to Placid in that it has hotels, businesses, a train station, and other features that mirror her hometown. She sees that Agatha’s choices—not a specific town—are responsible for Agatha’s fate. The myth of Dog Hollow collapses, and Georgie comes to understand that she cannot find the truth simply by reaching a specific destination.
Agatha’s Dress
Agatha’s dress is a catalyst for Georgie’s journey and represents The Impact of Societal Expectations on Individual Choices. When Georgie sees the body believed to be Agatha’s wearing Agatha’s dress, she is not convinced that Agatha is dead. Since the body was attacked by animals, it is impossible to tell if it is, in fact, Agatha. This uncertainty nags at Georgie until it ignites a need for her to learn the truth, forcing her to make decisions she wouldn’t normally make and leave home.
Agatha’s dress was a Christmas present she cherished for its beauty. In one of Georgie’s memories, Agatha wears the dress to the New Year’s ball, where she dances with Billy and is the center of attention. The dress accentuates Agatha’s natural beauty, which makes the dress a symbol of how the town views Agatha’s beauty as her strongest value. So, when Agatha leaves town and gets rid of the dress, it symbolizes her rejection of societal expectations. Though she loves the dress, she realizes that gendered expectations are keeping her trapped in Placid and forcing her toward a life she doesn’t want. By getting rid of the dress in Dog Hollow, Agatha has the freedom to travel on to the city undetected. On a side note, it also leaves a trail for Georgie to follow, catalyzing her own quest for independence.
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