Vampires in the Lemon Grove

Animals are used in each story to symbolize change. In “Vampires in the Lemon Grove,” Magreb shapeshifts between a vampire and a bat; Clyde used to be able to shapeshift, but after being with Magreb for so long and conforming to the rules of their relationship, he has forgotten how. Towards the end of the story, Magreb turns into a bat to escape Clyde. In this way, bats are symbolic of Magreb and Clyde’s dissolving relationship.

In “Reeling for the Empire,” the girls are literally changing into silkworm-like creatures. This change is symbolic of how many women living during the Meiji Empire gave their entire selves—body, mind, and spirit—to help the empire, but they received little, if anything, in return.

In “The Barn at the End of Our Term,” the former presidents have been reincarnated into horse’s bodies. This change from human to animal is significant because each horse retains its former human memories and desires. That is, most of the horses still strive after power despite their obvious horse-limitations. This conundrum symbolizes the absurdity and ultimate futility of striving after power.