Roses are the primary motif of the novel, appearing in the first epigraph and most subsequent ones. The beginning of each part (except the last two) features a rose epigraph describing a variety of rose, the name or attributes of which relate in some way to the events in the following chapters of that section. For instance, the epigraph for “The Third Day” describes the “Ladybug” rose variety, foreshadowing the incident in which ladybugs swarm Sam’s bedroom. Similarly, the epigraph for “The Ninth Day” describes a rose variety called the “Sunday Dinner,” referring to Gran Mae’s arrival and her demand for a family Sunday dinner. This rose also relates to Gran Mae’s obsessive desire for a “nice and normal” family like those in 1950s TV sitcoms like Leave It to Beaver.

All the novel’s roses are associated with Gran Mae in some way. The rose garden in the backyard is Gran Mae’s creation and passion, maintained by her magic long after her death. Every appearance of a rose in the narrative either recalls or foretells Gran Mae, from Sam’s nightmares of being stabbed by rose thorns to the cut roses that Sam leaves in a vase for Edith.