Dear Martin

After Manny's death, Manny’s parents give Justyce the watch they intended for Manny on his 18th birthday. First, the watch "is vintage and worth more money than Mama's ever had in her bank account at once" (137), and for Justyce it symbolizes the affluence of the Rivers family. Justyce is reminded in this moment that Manny's life was quite different from his own. For Justyce, the watch also symbolizes Manny's stolen future, and the grief that overtakes him as he accepts this gift is overwhelming. While Justyce struggles to contain his emotions, the Rivers also experience this as a symbolic moment. Passing this watch to their son's best friend "means a lot to [them]" (137), suggesting that in doing so, the memory and spirit of their son will continue. Later, the watch has that very effect as Justyce speaks with Jared at Manny's grave. Justyce claims that he "can feel the EJR on his watchband" (208), suggesting that the watch, as a physical reminder of Manny, prompts Justyce to forgive Jared.   

Stone includes the Klan costume as an overt symbol of the inability of many of the white characters in this novel to identify problematic or offensive actions or statements.