Summer of '69

Personal items that people wear or carry with them are important in the novel and serve as symbols for their growth. Blair carries a lighter inscribed with Joey’s proclamation of devotion, which allows her to see him as a potential romantic rescuer. Only when she realizes her own naivete—Joey can’t solve her problems with Angus—does she toss it aside. Tiger keeps his grandfather’s class ring from Harvard in his pocket “next to [his] heart [because it] makes [him] feel safe somehow” (17) but doesn’t tell people about it because he doesn’t want to “boast about [his] pedigree” (17). As Tiger grows more secure in his role as a leader and more comfortable with possibly dying during duty, he sends the ring to Magee as a promise ring. In this way, he assures her that he wants her to be part of his family history. Jessie, too, has two pieces of symbolic jewelry: the Tree of Life necklace from David and the gold knot necklace from Exalta. These necklaces are important symbols of Jessie’s conflict between Exalta’s wealthy, white, Christian background and her own Jewish heritage on her father’s side. When Jessie chooses her preference for her father’s necklace, she rejects the exclusionary policies of the Field and Oar Club set. While Jessie recognizes Exalta’s necklace as a valuable heirloom, and is glad that it’s returned when lost, Jessie isn’t willing to be tied to the status quo it symbolizes. As Exalta softens and becomes more understanding under Bill’s influence, the gold knot moves from a symbol of oppression to one that shows the progressive nature of change, a worthy gift for the future.