The Yellow Sheet

The yellow sheet symbolizes Tom Benecke’s obsession with work. When Tom loses the sheet, which will guarantee his promotion, he is willing to risk his life to retrieve it. However, when it flies out of the window a second time, he lets it go because his experience has removed his obsession for work.

The Window

The window, which was “rattling in its casing” (13) represents Benecke’s instability concerning his future. On one hand, he might lose the key to his promotion. Furthermore, Benecke begins to regret his life choices when he thinks he is going to die. Thus, Benecke’s entire mentality is unstable throughout the story, as is the rattling window inside its casing.

Tom Benecke’s Coins

Benecke’s coins represent his hopelessness. When Benecke hits the window with his coin, he does so “without any hope” (51) that it will break...