Lisette

Lisette, the gown Lisa falls in love with at Goode's, symbolizes self-expression. When Lisa first encounters the dress, she is not only enamored by its elegance, but feels connected to it in the way she connects with pieces of poetry. She even believes Lisette was made exclusively for her. By the end of the novel, the gown is discounted so much Lisa can afford it. The dress is a symbol of Lisa's newfound adult identity.

Miss Jacobs

Miss Jacobs' character symbolizes solitude. Though Miss Jacobs has worked at Goode's for longer than any of the other women, no one knows anything about her. She keeps to herself, except when she makes occasional, and surprisingly wise and intuitive, remarks to her coworkers. Throughout the novel, the author uses her mysterious nature to add narrative tension. Unlike the other characters, Miss Jacobs seems content to be alone, disinterested...