Dragonflies in Part of Your World: Symbols of Change and Transition

The Dragonfly as a Recurring Image in Part of Your World

Dragonflies appear at key moments in Abby Jimenez's novel, always in connection with a shift in the characters' lives. They are small, delicate insects that flit through the narrative—landing on a car hood, resting on a pot in a garage, or hovering over a river. Their presence is never accidental; the author confirms in the book's Q&A that dragonflies mean change is coming. This makes them a concrete symbol of transition, but the way they appear—and disappear—reveals how change is possible for some characters and painfully out of reach for others.

What the Dragonflies Literally Are

In the story, dragonflies are ordinary insects, but they are described with unusual attention. They appear in three distinct scenes: the first chapter, when Daniel tows Alexis's car out of a ditch; chapter 22, when Alexis is learning to cook in Daniel's garage; and chapter 29, during the tubing trip on the river. In each case, the dragonfly is not just background detail—it is noticed by a character and often lands on something meaningful. The author's explanation in the Q&A makes the symbolism explicit: dragonflies signal that change is imminent. This is not a subtle subtext but a deliberate motif that the narrative itself acknowledges.

The First Dragonfly: A Meeting That Changes Everything

The first dragonfly appears in chapter 1, right after Daniel pulls Alexis's car back onto the road. As he crouches to inspect her tires, a dragonfly lands on the hood of her sedan and sits motionless. This moment is pivotal: it is the first time Alexis and Daniel meet, and the dragonfly marks the beginning of a transformation in Alexis's life. She is driving home from a funeral, emotionally raw, and has just been rescued by a stranger who refuses payment. The dragonfly's stillness contrasts with the chaos of the fog and the accident, suggesting that something calm and inevitable is about to unfold. The author confirms that this first sighting signals that wheels are already turning—the meeting is the catalyst for the change that will ripple through the rest of the novel.

Dragonflies in the Garage: Change Through Learning

In chapter 22, Alexis is in Daniel's garage, and a dragonfly lands on the rim of a pot on the tiny stove. This scene is about Alexis confronting her own helplessness. She admits she has never peeled a potato, a skill she was never taught because her privileged upbringing and controlling ex-boyfriend Neil kept her dependent. Daniel responds with patience, teaching her without shame. The dragonfly here marks a change in Alexis's self-perception: she is learning that she can acquire new skills and that she does not need to be trapped in the role Neil created for her. The dragonfly's presence in this domestic setting ties the symbol to personal growth and the breaking of old patterns. It is a quieter change than the first, but no less significant.

The Tubing Scene: When Dragonflies Disappear

The most complex use of the dragonfly symbol occurs in chapter 29, during the tubing trip on the river. The group is floating peacefully when Jake, Liz's abusive husband, appears on the bluff, watching them. The moment he arrives, the dragonflies vanish. The author explains that they disappear because there is no change in Liz's situation—she does not feel able to leave Jake, and so the promise of transformation is withdrawn. The absence of dragonflies is as meaningful as their presence. It signals that for Liz, change is not yet possible; she is trapped in a cycle of abuse with no escape in sight.

But then, after Jake drives off, a dragonfly lands on Liz's knee. She stares at it wearily. This single dragonfly offers a glimmer of hope. The author notes that it gives us hope that the idea of change might be planted, even if Liz cannot act on it yet. The dragonfly's return suggests that change is still possible, even if it is not immediate. This moment deepens the symbol: dragonflies do not guarantee change; they only signal that it is coming, and sometimes it comes slowly or not at all.

Dragonflies and Alexis's Journey

For Alexis, dragonflies mark the major transitions in her life. The first one appears when she meets Daniel, the man who will challenge her assumptions about class, love, and self-worth. The second appears as she learns to cook, a small act of independence that represents her growing ability to care for herself. By the end of the novel, Alexis has left her abusive relationship with Neil, chosen Daniel, and embraced a life that includes both her career and the small town of Wakan. The dragonflies are a visual shorthand for the changes she undergoes—from a woman who feels trapped by her family's expectations and her ex's control to one who actively chooses her own path.

The symbol also connects to the theme of self-worth and choosing love. Alexis's transformation is not just about falling in love with Daniel; it is about recognizing her own value and refusing to accept the mistreatment she endured from Neil. The dragonflies appear at moments when she is taking steps toward that recognition, even if she does not fully understand it at the time.

Dragonflies and Liz: The Limits of Change

Liz's story provides a counterpoint to Alexis's. While Alexis is able to change her life, Liz remains trapped in an abusive marriage. The dragonflies' disappearance during the tubing scene underscores this difference. For Liz, change is not a choice she can make safely; leaving Jake would put her life at risk. The single dragonfly that lands on her knee afterward is a fragile hope, but it is not enough to free her. This contrast highlights the novel's exploration of emotional abuse and recovery. Alexis can leave because she has resources and support; Liz cannot, because her abuser has isolated her and threatened her life. The dragonfly symbol thus becomes a measure of how much change is possible for each character.

Dragonflies and the Town of Wakan

The dragonflies are also tied to the town itself. Wakan is a place with a touch of magic, as the author explains—the name comes from the Dakota Sioux word for magic, and the town seems to have a protective spirit. The dragonflies are part of this supernatural atmosphere, appearing when the town's magic is working in favor of change. They are not random; they are agents of the town's will. This connects to the theme of small-town community and belonging. Wakan is not just a setting; it is a character that actively shapes the lives of its residents. The dragonflies are one of the ways the town's magic manifests, guiding Alexis toward her new life and offering hope to Liz.

Study Questions

1. Why does the first dragonfly appear in chapter 1, and what does it signal about Alexis's future?

The dragonfly lands on Alexis's car hood immediately after Daniel tows her out of the ditch. It signals that meeting Daniel is the beginning of a major change in her life. The author confirms that this first sighting means wheels are already turning. It foreshadows the transformation Alexis will undergo as she leaves her abusive relationship and discovers a new sense of self.

1. How does the dragonfly in chapter 22 differ from the one in chapter 1, and what does that difference reveal about Alexis's growth?

In chapter 1, the dragonfly appears during a rescue—Alexis is passive, being helped by a stranger. In chapter 22, the dragonfly appears while Alexis is actively learning to cook, a skill she never had. This shift from passive to active mirrors her growing independence. The dragonfly in the garage marks a change in her self-perception, as she realizes she can learn and grow beyond the limitations Neil imposed on her.

1. Why do the dragonflies disappear when Jake appears during the tubing scene, and what does the single dragonfly that lands on Liz's knee afterward represent?

The dragonflies vanish because Jake's presence signals that no change is possible for Liz at that moment—she is trapped in her abusive marriage and cannot leave. Their disappearance reflects the absence of hope. The single dragonfly that lands on her knee afterward represents a fragile possibility of change, suggesting that the idea of leaving might be planted, even if Liz cannot act on it yet.

1. How does the dragonfly symbol connect to the theme of emotional abuse and recovery in the novel?

Dragonflies appear when change is possible, but they disappear when it is not. For Alexis, they mark her recovery from Neil's emotional abuse, appearing as she takes steps toward independence. For Liz, they highlight the difficulty of escaping an abusive relationship, as the dragonflies vanish when Jake appears and only return as a faint hope. The symbol thus illustrates the different trajectories of recovery and the obstacles that survivors face.