Christmas Gifts

Christmas gifts are symbols of love and friendship, but the approaching holiday is a source of worry for Jane that first Christmas because she worries the children will provide inappropriate gifts or that Duncan will not give her something significant enough for how she feels.

The Soup Tureen

The soup tureen is a symbol of the shared life Aggie and Duncan had. Aggie is angry when she discovers Jane bought the soup tureen from the thrift store, though it means nothing to Duncan. Some readers may find a juxtaposition between Duncan's attitude toward the soup tureen and his attitude about commitment.

The Mason Jars

Mason jars are a symbol of Jane's effort to create “rustic centerpieces” for her wedding to Luke. When she looks at them critically, she simply sees jars. The fact that Jane is disenchanted with the jars is typical of how she...