Tuna melts symbolize bonding. For school, Beverly memorizes the Magee Jr. poem that begins, “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds” (31). Tuna melts represent the opposite of Magee’s first line. Through tuna melts, Iola brings people together and gives them comfort. Partly due to tuna melts, people don’t slip away. During their first interaction, Iola compels Beverly inside through tuna melts, telling her, “Why don’t you come on inside, and I will make you a sandwich […] I make the best tuna melt you will ever have in your life” (26). The tuna melt, a shared experience for Beverly and Iola, creates the condition for their friendship. Over the tuna melt, Iola outlines the terms of their connection, and Beverly agrees to them. The tuna melt propels their relationship.

Tuna melts also unite Iola and Beverly with Elmer. Beverly and Elmer’s relationship grows closer when he has dinner at Iola’s trailer. For dinner, Iola serves tuna melts and mentions, “I like it when the numbers go up instead of down” (162). Tuna melts increase the connections in her life. Over the tuna melt dinner, Iola becomes a rounder character, discussing her husband and describing some of her past.