Heart Issues

Marilee’s heart issues symbolize her lack of compassion and tact. She abruptly tells Gail that Gail will not get the promotion that she wanted and also that she will not even have her current position once Marilee leaves the school. While Gail learns of this suddenly, this decision was not made in haste. Those at the school have had time to court a new headmistress and make plans with her for the future. The heart generally symbolizes compassion because it is where human’s attribute their emotions to being housed. Therefore, Marilee’s heart issues are symbolic of her lack of empathy and compassion.

Clocks and Watches

Clocks and watches are mentioned numerous times in the novel, and they serve to symbolize all that connects the past to the present and the present to the future. The novel revolves around only three days in...