The Woman in the Purple Skirt

The Woman in the Purple Skirt symbolizes idealism. When the narrator first notices her around the neighborhood, she becomes enamored, convinced the Woman has many things she does not have. The Woman is agile, clever, and composed. She is also a local celebrity. She makes friends easily, and never goes unnoticed. The narrator's obsession with her, illustrates how desperately she wants to be seen and regarded like the Woman. The Woman's life and experiences are not starkly different from the narrator's, but her circumstances resemble a more complete or satisfying version of reality.

The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan

The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan's character symbolizes invisibility. She is not only single and living alone, but estranged from her family and entirely without friends. The people who do notice her, do so scornfully. Her social circumstances make her feel insignificant...