The literary elements and techniques present in "​Elsewhere​" are complex, revealing to 

the reader details concerning the perspective of Z

​ ita​ throughout the narrative. While this 
goal can be accomplished in many ways, ​Stephanie McClure​ puts specific use to subtle 
symbolism and contrasts that bring the setting to the forefront of the reader's attention. 

In the first half of the passage, the prose is written in a very specific manner, with an 
equally specific reason justifying it. It is highly descriptive in a very elegant and 
somewhat refreshing manner. There is mention of aspects such as "​a spark of light 
rising over the orchard​" as well as Z ​ ita​'s clothing, pajamas to be specific. All of these 
things are directly tied to the morning, which is also the temporal setting of this story. 
This time of day generally symbolizes beginnings, birth, rebirth, and vitality. Also, much 
of the description in this half of the excerpt focuses on non-human features, such as a 
"​spider in action,​" crows, trees, and even comparing the protagonist to a field mouse. 
However, in the eighth paragraph, there is a structural transition. Descriptions shift from 
these natural objects to human ones such as "​boots crunch[ing] across the gravel to a 
faded pickup truck,​" as well as her father. Such a shift in focus from the natural to the 
man-made creates a relationship between Z ​ ita​ and her father, the characters that are 
focused on in each of these respective sections, that conveys ​Zita​'s perspective. With 
this, the reader is truly able to identify that ​Zita​ sees her father as "​a man afflicted by the 
cruel reality of brokenness,​" feeling sorry for him and trying to do whatever she can in 
order to make him happy. 

The symbolism in this passage reveals an even more pronounced understanding of 
Zita​'s perspective. This symbolism comes almost exclusively from the description of 
the setting. In the beginning, the crows present at dawn are described as 
"​black-feathered angels [that] herald the dawn.​" The ravens are mentioned once more in 
the final paragraph of the passage. They are described as "​signal[ing] each other with 
wails of alternating anguish and affection.​" These descriptions characterize the ravens 
as a symbol of the duality of heaven. The peace of heaven as well as the sorrow that 
accompanies departure to it. This, accompanied by the distinct settings of the orchard, 
symbolizing heaven, and the house, symbolizing the base world...