M's Accident

M's accident symbolizes upheaval. Though the accident does not appear at the forefront of the narrative, the event acts as the story's catalyzing incident. Indeed, it not only disrupts M's physical and mental functionality, but impedes Caroline's ability to remain present and stable in her own body and mind. The author uses the accident as a means of illustrating the ways in which trauma or loss might comprehensively fracture and disrupt the individual's sense of time and space.

"The Gypsy Woman"

The Steen Steensen Blicher short story "The Gypsy Woman" that M reads to Caroline at the start of their relationship, symbolizes memory. On Christmas Eve, when Caroline opens the Blicher collection from M, she tries recalling their shared memory of "The Gypsy Woman" to him. However, this intimate moment is entirely gone from his mind. The story, therefore, illustrates how alone Caroline is in...