The Sinclair family, portrayed as the picture-perfect family of luxury, appears to live a life untouched by the common struggles of the world. With wealth and privilege, the Sinclairs spend the summers on a private island, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. However, beneath this mask rests a web of secrets, lies, and fractured memories, specifically woven throughout E. Lockhart’s novel, We Were Liars. Through examining every artifact, such as the shattered heart, the ancient key, the water bottle, torn pieces of paper, representing puzzle pieces, and Cadence’s brain, these artifacts reveal the chilling reality lurking beneath the surface of the Sinclair family’s picture-perfect image. Initially, at the soul of Lockhart’s narrative…show more content… Gat seeing me bleed. Ask me some questions. Dressing my wounds. I don’t remember much else.” (ch. 18) Moreover, the brain represents Cadence’s mind after the mysterious accident. As she grapples with the exhausting effects of amnesia, Cadence finds herself amidst a sea of shattered memories, each fragment of the torn piece of paper serves as a clue in her quest for self-discovery. Through the symbolism of the fragmented brain, Lockhart invites readers to embark on a voyage of exploring the thoughts and feelings of Cadence’s shattered memory, as she tries to piece together the puzzle of her own identity. “What I remember, from the summer of the accident. I don’t remember much else.” (ch. 18) Ultimately, the torn pieces of paper serve as Cadence’s journey to find solutions and the truth of her identity. Despite the vague answers that she receives, Cadence finds herself confronted with the striking reality of her own imperfect truth. Each torn page serves as a haunting reminder of the gaps that exist within her memory. Through the symbolism of the torn pages, Lockhart confronts readers with the unsettling feeling of harsh truth. “If I Google traumatic brain injury, most websites tell me selective amnesia is a
