Stung

Bowen’s rifle serves as a strong symbol of rash decisions and their consequences, whether it is in Bowen’s hands or Fiona’s. The rifle also indicates Bowen’s ambivalent trust in Fiona: He hurriedly hands the rifle to her at the sound of an approaching hive, but as soon as they are in the factory, he takes the rifle back and places her within the cuff restraints again. The rifle represents the impulsive rapidity with which Bowen falls for Fiona, as just a short day later he leaves the rifle behind altogether, opting for Fiona to keep it when he leaves for supplies. He also elicits a promise from Fiona in a desperate attempt to keep her safe: Fiona can only go along to Wyoming if she swears to keep the rifle loaded with at least one bullet at all times to use on herself if caught by raiders. Enamored with Bowen and eager to get to relative safety, Fiona hastily agrees. Bowen rashly thinks that this solution will rid him of the burden of responsibility if he cannot keep Fo safe, a burden too similar to the one he bears from the torture and death of his own mother. Fo and Bowen’s decisions and discussions about the rifle are fierce and dramatic but thoughtless, which foreshadows the moment of Fiona’s most rash action: She shoots Bowen without first looking to see who approaches.