Frankenberg Department Store

Frankenberg Department Store represents the constraints of society and a dead-end life. It puts working women in a place where Therese does not want to be.

Sets

The sets symbolize Therese's attempt to create a world for herself. At the beginning of the novel she is not able to do that. Her attempts are amateurish, just like her sets according to Carol. She dates a man who does not interest her, and she works at a dead-end job. Once she starts spending time with Carol, she stops working on sets. At this point, she is learning about who she is, gaining experience, and living a more authentic life. When Carol leaves, however, Therese becomes lost for a period of time. She tries to create a world for herself by once again building sets.

The Red Dress

The red dress represents Therese's dissatisfaction with her...