Marriage was a fragile thing, beautiful when it was intact but easily damaged. Like a rare vase, it could be bumped accidentally off its pedestal and shatter into pieces. It could be thrown against the wall. It could be forgotten in a corner, left to gather dust.”
-- Kay Whittaker (Chapter 2)

Importance: Here, the metaphor of the vase shows the importance of performing for a woman at this time, and how fragile that performance is to keep up in the face of society. For, Kay, keeping her marriage in tact in the public eye was very important to her; it was her performance.

This girl who has been unwanted for as long as she can remember can’t be blamed if her first thought when her boss makes advances is 'What can I get out of this.'”
-- Maggie Gleason (Chapter 2)

Importance: In this quote, it specifically showed how desperation was Pauline’s only driving force and how that...