King’s original title for the novel was The Napkins, and napkins are pervasive throughout the story. Napkins serve as symbols for good manners and for goodness in general. They become reused into rope, into a bed for Dennis, and into a lifesaving pile for Peter. They also provide the livelihood for many people who need paychecks in both Kyla the Good’s time and Peyna’s. Most of all, napkins symbolize something good that is otherwise taken for granted. Nobody thinks about napkins. They are nice to have, but they are not absolutely needed. They are like small acts of generosity; often unrewarded and quickly forgotten. However, in large numbers, napkins become important and habits formed lead to good lives lived. Small kindnesses accumulate or lead to unexpected benefits down the road. Napkins represent what evil cannot see and thus how evil is defeated.

By the time Sasha is given the magnificent dollhouse, she is an adult and no longer plays with it. The dollhouse was all important to her as a child, but getting married and helping rule a kingdom forced her to grow up. In this way, the dollhouse symbolizes a loss of childhood innocence.