In Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," the protagonist envisions a Tree of Paradise adorned with an intricate border of snakes. These snakes are crafted with care, designed to appear like decorative vines or cable patterns to the untrained eye. By minimizing the size of the snakes' eyes, the character blends them into the overall aesthetic, thereby concealing their true nature. This artistic choice suggests a deeper narrative significance, highlighting the complexity of perception and the hidden truths within the story.

The mention of snakes as essential elements in the design indicates that they represent critical themes or aspects of the character's journey. Without these snakes, the main story would lose important nuances, suggesting that deception and hidden meanings are integral to understanding the character's reality. Atwood uses this imagery to explore how appearances can be misleading and to emphasize the underlying narratives that shape one's identity and experiences.