The dynamic of Miranda and Lucia’s relationship as sisters is repeatedly depicted by a spider and its web. In the beginning of the novel, Lucia finds a spider’s web in the backyard. Miranda is quick to comfort her and assure her that she won’t be harmed, but Lucia quickly brushes Miranda’s words off, stating that she thinks the spider and its web are “beautiful.” This scene establishes the dynamic between the two sisters. Miranda, even as a child, acts as a caretaker for Lucia, preemptively trying to protect her even though Lucia is unafraid. Lucia, for her part, focuses on the beauty of nature. In Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist texts, spiders represent the promise of protection in return for belief (“Spider Symbolism.” Literary Devices). In the case of Miranda and Lucia, the spider and its web become representative of Miranda’s dedication to protect Lucia. By reminding her that the spider will not hurt her, Miranda also claims that she will not hurt Lucia. Young, and eager to see the beauty in the sentiment, Lucia states that the web, Miranda’s protection, is beautiful.

In Part 3 of the novel, as Lucia gets ready to take Essy and leave Ecuador, she begins to obsess over a spider in the corner of her room.