Things We Left Behind

The nicknames “Lucifer” and “Pixie” are used to refer to Lucian and Sloane, and these epithets also symbolize the supposed differences in the two protagonists’ personalities. Lucian and Sloane are often positioned as opposites, for as the narrative simplistically states, “[Lucian] was tall, dark, and evil. [Sloane] was short, fair, and awesome” (12). Because they are conditioned to see each other as opposites in terms of personality, values, and lifestyle, Sloane and Lucian never allow themselves to envision dating each other, and this irrational resistance prolongs the angst and tension of their impending romance.

Though Lucian is affectionately referred to as “Luce” or even “Lucy” by his few friends, he is more commonly “Lucifer” in the eyes of Sloane “and the rest of his legion of enemies” (10). Lucian’s nickname is coined by Sloane in adulthood and symbolizes his “downfall” from the sweet, tender boy she once knew, for from her perspective, she sees his adult self as an indifferent and cold-hearted man with icy control over his emotions. The nickname is therefore an embodiment of the changes that Lucian has undergone after the trauma of his teen years. The nickname’s negative