The North Star, which first appears on Mia’s sweatshirt and is referenced by Colin later in the novel, is a symbol of a strong moral compass. As the star that guides lost travelers, it is representative of the inherent goodness of Colin and Mia.

Mia’s stolen sweatshirt says “l’etoile du nord”: French for “north star.” She wears the sweatshirt often in her months at the cabin. The sweatshirt mocks Colin at first, who can’t put a finger on the reason for his distaste for it. The sweatshirt is representative of Mia’s moral compass and foreshadows that she will eventually find her way home.

As time passes in the cabin, Colin also embraces the North Star. He begins to love Mia’s sweatshirt and reflects on his “innate ability to know which way is north and which way is south” (220). Colin proves his moral righteousness during his time with Mia, despite his earlier portrayal as a villain. Colin knows “which way is north and which way is south” on a technical level, but he also knows the difference between right and wrong. The North Star is a symbol of this shared moral code.