In the myth the pomegranate was used by Hades to ensure that Persephone returned to him in the underworld. Although this particular fruit was not directly mentioned in either piece, the fruit plays a key role in expressing the relationship between the daughters and the underworld and in expressing the mother's views on that relationship. "The Pomegranate" shows the fruit in a similar way that the myth does. Mom remembers “the pomegranate!” (29) in the myth and connects it to the “plate of uncut fruit” (28) that he sees in his daughter's room when he passes by. She is saddened that her daughter has “reached out and plucked a pomegranate” (32-33) and “will wake up… [and] hold the red, papery skin in her hand. And to his lips” (52-54) taking the final steps towards adulthood