Mazie's Diary

Mazie's diary was a brown leather journal, both keeper and symbol of secrecy. Mazie's one true confessor and confidant.

The Venice Theater Ticket Booth

The ticket booth was Mazie's literal and symbolic cage.

Rosie's Compulsive Cleaning

This obsessive activity symbolizes Rosie's frenzy against chronic anxiety and dread of abandonment.

Louis's Car

Louis's car is a potent symbol of success (especially so long ago), upward mobility, and freedom. Mazie thinks otherwise, as the car takes away her independence.

Alcohol

Alcohol was used by multiple characters, in particular Mazie, as a magic elixir, granting access to the land of fun and forgetting. At least for a while.

Prohibition

Prohibition was authority's heavy-handed symbol of control over the unwashed masses and immorality (from which said Authority was exempt).

Louis's Massive Wooden Dining Table

Like nothing in any of their homes, the table is a symbol of family, stability...