Lemons

Bigfoot is a prominent symbol in Lemons, representing Tobin’s optimism and providing a distraction and motivation for both Tobin and Lemonade, who are each missing a parent. Bigfoot is everywhere in Willow Creek; the creature has its own statue, and Charlie runs a Bigfoot souvenir shop. Tobin has his own Bigfoot investigation service that gets frequent calls from locals about sightings and even attacks and thefts. Lemonade doubts the existence of Bigfoot at first, which deeply offends Tobin, who hopes he is right not only about Bigfoot but also about his missing father. Charlie claims to have encountered a Bigfoot one night in the fog, which helps convince Lemonade of the possibility. Bigfoot is presented in the story as a misunderstood creature, and Tobin and Lemonade become its defenders. The differences between Bigfoot and humans are worth celebrating: “Sometimes it’s the differences that are exactly what makes us special” (223). By the same token, Lemonade feels different from the people of Willow Creek at first but soon finds that they have more in common than what separates them. The adventures and bonding time, as well as the self-discovery that the Bigfoot investigations provide Lemonade and Tobin, are what strengthen them amidst challenging circumstances. It acts as an example of Navigating Grief and conveys the idea that believing in the seemingly impossible has value. The impossibility of Bigfoot existing also serves as a symbol of other worlds and connections that outlast death.