Broken Shelters tells a story through parallels and symbolism. Nell is a girl whose home is broken just like her charm necklace, which she clutches while violence rages inside. These cracks are reflected in the snail's shell as it is hit against the path. The film climaxes when Nell rushes to protect the broken and vulnerable snail and ends with her piecing her own "heart" back together, a glimpse of future healing and hope.