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Symbols & Motifs
Content Warning: The section of the guide features discussion of sexual content, medical abuse, and mental illness.
Ducks
The duck is the central symbol of the Devil’s Backbone Society, representing the secret organization’s pervasive power, wealth, and dangerous games its members play. As a symbol, the duck appears in various forms, from marble statues used as murder weapons to the name of the psychiatric hospital, Mallard, constantly reminding the characters of the society’s inescapable influence. This omnipresence reinforces the theme of The Impact of Abuse on Mental Health, as Ashley is surrounded by signifiers of an enemy she is told exists only in her mind. Her pivotal moment of clarity comes when Abigail’s mumbled warning triggers a realization: “The ducks. Ducks. Devil’s Backbone Society” (15). This transforms the duck from a symbol of oppressive mystery into the very key that unlocks the truth of her captivity, affirming her sanity and exposing Jocelyn’s conspiracy.
The symbol’s meaning is further complicated by Nate’s pet name for Ashley, “Duckling.” This dual association creates a powerful tension throughout the narrative. On one hand, the duck signifies a lethal, corrupting force. On the other, it becomes a term of endearment and intimacy linked to Nate, a protector who ultimately rescues her. This contradiction personalizes the conflict, blurring the line between the enemy Ashley faces and the love she fights for. The duck thus functions not just as a static emblem of the antagonist but as a dynamic symbol whose meaning shifts with context, embodying both the threat of the society and the complexities of Ashley’s most conflicted relationship.
Hallucinations and Questioning Reality
The recurring motif of questioning what is real versus what is a dream or a figment of Ashley’s imagination is central to the novel’s exploration of psychological trauma. This disorientation serves as the primary vehicle for the theme of The Impact of Abuse on Mental Health, as Jocelyn’s gaslighting and the forced medication at Mallard Psychiatric Hospital are designed to dismantle Ashley’s grasp on reality. Ashley’s internal state is marked by constant uncertainty and exhaustion. Early in her confinement, she reflects, “My belief in what I knew versus what they told me flip-flopped almost hourly” (10). This statement encapsulates the effectiveness of her abuse, showing how sustained psychological abuse can make a person doubt their own memories and perceptions, isolating them.
However, as the narrative progresses, Ashley still struggles to distinguish what’s real from what isn’t. She has sex with Nate, believing he is a hallucination, and this shows how she can only give into her desires with him when she feels free from vulnerability and consequence. Later, she sees things that aren’t real; just like she mistook a man at the institution for Dr. Fox, she later hallucinates Jocelyn at a Society event in the woods. Other times, she doubts her mental well-being solely because her circumstances are so dangerous and extreme that she can’t find a way to cope with them. This demonstrates how a person doesn’t recover simply because they’ve left the environment in which they were being abused. However, the ways in which her partners help soothe her emphasizes how love, understanding, and trust help alleviate the impact of abuse of one’s mental health.
Masks
As part of the mystery of the novels, numerous characters where masks throughout the novel. Originally, this includes the elders of the Devil’s Backbone Society, who kidnap and attempt to murder Ashley while hypnotized. This experience is horrific and traumatizing to her, and it only heightens her fear in everyday scenarios, as she doesn’t know who is or is not trying to harm her. Those involved with or behind the activities of the Society remain ambiguous, making masks a negative symbol.
However, her boyfriends help her work through this growing paranoia and transform the mask into something positive. When Jocelyn is imprisoned, Ashley experiences a hallucination, believing the antagonist is in the woods with her while she plays laser tag. Immediately afterward, Royce finds her while wearing his own Society mask and initiates sex to distract her. Carter, Heath, and Nate eventually join, all covering their faces. While Ashley initially expresses anxiety about their identity and this incredibly vulnerable act, she finds that her trust in them allows her to enjoy the experience. This demonstrates how her completely loving relationship with them all allows her to have faith that they’ll protect her, despite the looming threat of Jocelyn.
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