o show their hostility to their mother, the boys wear hats with birch branches on them. Scottish folklore states that the foliage on the heads of the dead was to protect them from the influences and temptations of the living world Wikipedia). They are, in effect, stating with their clothing choice that they are dead, and staying that way. They continue to force their mother to admit their death and separation from her by reminding her twice that they have to leave before sunrise