The Mug of Tea ("The Row")

The mug of tea in the short story "The Row" symbolizes time for forgiveness. It is this couple’s symbolic "white flag" admission by both of their defeat in the argument they were having that day. The husband goes outside to mow the lawn and to push out some of his aggression. He re-enters the home calmly and offers to do something nice for his wife. In this moment, there is no fighting or name calling. The narrator begins to reminisce about their happy times as a couple and by the time each of them has finished their tea, they reunite and the husband says, "I'm sorry if you are" (32). This begins the reconciliation of their row for the day, and the narrator is able to go to bed thankful for her marriage and for her husband.

The Owned House ("The Row")