Letters

The letters between Louisa and Jack symbolize desire for romance. Jack believes that he is doomed to perish in combat, and so he begins a long-distance romance with Louisa despite his engagement to Grace Horne. Louisa, eager for romance and unaware of the engagement, always responds to Jack’s letters.

Photograph

The photograph that Louisa sends Jack symbolizes the desire for external acceptance. Louisa sends Jack a photograph of herself when he asks for one, and ironically, Louisa never sees what Jack looks like, even after he returns to Carstairs. This asymmetry parallels the asymmetry of their relationship.

Factory Accident

The factory accident symbolizes the precariousness and unpredictability of life and death. After surviving the war, Jack returns home and works in the Doud family’s factory. Ironically, he eventually dies in a factory accident. The unforeseen nature of this tragedy emphasizes the importance of the...