The Motel

The motel symbolizes temporary space and transience. It is a place where people come and go, but only stay briefly as they are moving to their ultimate destination. The same logic applies to the staff; over the years, hundreds of women have worked alongside Marie. Marie has become so used to the transience associated with her work at the motel that even when she locates her best friend Evie, she does not try to get in touch with her.

Old Onions

The old onions Marie finds in the guest's room toward the beginning of the story symbolize the sacrifices that Marie and other blue-collar workers must make. The onions are an ironic symbol, as they disgust Marie more than the other disturbing messes she cleans up after guests. Marie's revulsion to onions suggests how entrenched she has become in her work, as she is no...