Snapdragon

The possum babies are a symbol of Snap and Jacks’s growing family relationship. As such, they help illuminate the theme of The Strength of Found Family.

With Jacks’s mentorship and guidance, Snap raises the possums from infancy. The two connect over their mutual care for the babies. Just like Snap begins to perceive the possum babies with affection, she begins to see Jacks as part of her family network. Snap often expresses growing attachment to the babies. When it’s time to return them to the wild, she says, “I can’t believe it’s already time…I’m gonna miss ‘em” (114), to which Jacks says, “I told you not to get attached” (114). This philosophy is also Jacks’s general approach to relationships, be they with Jessie or Snap.

Jacks tries to stop herself from becoming too fond of Snap. After Jacks tells Snap the story of why she and Jessie split up, she says, “If we’d stayed together you wouldn’t exist. And that’d be a shame” (103). Her self-protection drops and she admits her feelings. A moment later though, she clears her throat with a “HEM” sound, eyes wide. She gets up and changes the subject quickly.