Chessboard

In general, chessboards are a symbol of life in the novel. Mrs Elm consistently refers to the game of chess in order to teach Nora important life lessons. For instance, Mrs Elm uses the transformation of a pawn to queen to show how often the smallest things in life are what lead us to victory. At the end of the novel, chess brings Nora and Mrs Elm together once again, showing how life tends to come full circle.

Swimming

Swimming symbolizes Nora’s strained relationship with her father. As a child, Nora clung to swimming in a desperate attempt to secure her father’s love and approval. In pursuing a career as a professional swimmer in her dream-life, Nora hopes to finally please her father.

Fire

In general, fire symbolizes rebirth in the novel. Nora writes a poem called Fire in two of her dream lives...