Spectacular Things

After Liz Lowe begins wearing a red ribbon in her hair during every soccer game, it eventually becomes the unofficial accessory of the family. Liz’s mother buys the red ribbon to draw attention to Liz so she can bask in Liz’s limelight: “No one can miss you now, […] Only the best player on the field can pull off a red ribbon” (34). At this point, the ribbon represents Liz’s desire to be seen and valued by her parents. Excelling in soccer is her pathway to external validation. The ribbon’s association with “the best player on the field” also draws a symbolic connection to the attention and fame that will become part of Cricket’s understanding of What the Pursuit of Greatness Requires.

For Mia and Cricket, red ribbons symbolize Liz and her identity as a soccer player. Wearing red ribbons just like their mother demonstrates their connection to her and shared sense of athletic identity. After Liz’s death, Mia and Cricket both wear red ribbons in their hair for their weddings to symbolize their mother’s continuing presence in their lives, hearts, and memories.