The Return of Ellie Black

Friendship bracelets are a symbol that represents sisterhood and love. During their captivity, Gabrielle gives Hannah and Ellie friendship bracelets made out of bits of rope. Since Gabrielle used to wear friendship bracelets before West kidnapped her, this gift connects Gabrielle to her past self while also satisfying the girls’ need for hope. West therefore orders the girls to burn their bracelets before he murders Gabrielle, symbolizing how he wants to break their connection.

Ellie’s memories of Gabrielle are connected to the friendship bracelets, which she thinks about constantly. When Chelsey notices that Ellie often rubs one of her wrists, she believes that Ellie must have been restrained. In fact, Ellie rubs her wrists because she remembers her bond of sisterhood with those she left at the compound. Even at the end of the novel, Ellie thinks that “she can still feel it, the friendship bracelet” (294), underscoring that Ellie will never forget the connection she shared with the girls at the compound.

Star, one of the dogs at the compound, is a symbol that represents triumph over adversity. Ellie bonds with Star because he is born into the environment of West’s violence. Although Ellie does not have any ulterior motives in befriending Star, her gentleness with Star eventually saves her life.