Doll Bones

The questions game that the trio play symbolizes an essential part of childhood, that of asking questions about the world. Asking questions is a way that the friends delve into their imaginative world. It is also a way for them to learn about each other and forge their real identities. For example, the questions Poppy hands to Zach are about William, but all pertain to Zach in some way. Poppy asks, “Does [William] think Lady Jaye likes him?” (19). This is Poppy’s way of hinting at Alice’s feelings for Zach, which Zach is obtusely unaware of.

The games mirror aspects of real life. William the Pirate’s father has always been a mystery, just as Zach’s father is a mystery to him. Through the game, Zach navigates the challenges of having his absentee father rejoin the family. For example, when Poppy asks if William the Pirate suffers from bad dreams, Zach describes how William dreams of “being buried alive” (19). This is exactly how Zach feels when his father takes away his opportunity to play, burying the “childish” version of Zach. Just like William, Zach decides that if he’s to grow up, he’ll do it on his own terms. This means continuing the quest and using his life experiences to do it.