" She responds with the symbolic implications that she too is living in a sate of fear and resentment. The reality that Elisa aspires to is again conveyed through the imagery and symbolic of a longing for a better existence. This can be seen when she whispers, "That's a bright direction. There's a glowing there." (DiYanni 464/465) the imagery refers to some other more amenable reality and relates to the underlying feeling that all is not as it should be in her life. This also relates to the images of possibility and hope at the start of the story; for example, "...she looked toward the river road where the willow-line was still yellow with frosted leaves so that under the high grey fog they seemed a thin band of sunshine. This was the only color in the grey afternoon" (DiYanni 465). There is a continual interplay between gloom and despair and the hint of sunshine and hope.

However, these faint hopes and aspirations are finally dashed in the story when she goes out with her husband. Firstly, the narration clearly shows a lack of understanding and intimacy between...

The final blow comes when they travel to town.
Elisa sees that she has been betrayed by the repairman and that he has discarded her pot. If we into account the symbolism and importance of the flowers discussed above, then it becomes clear that on a deeper and more symbolic level, that this small event devastating psychological consequences for her.." She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly -- like an old woman" (DiYanni 466). The final lines of the story emphasize her loss of vitally and sense of self-worth. It is as if she has becomes old and without any hope.

This short story encompasses many levels of meaning and interpretation. At its most profound, this is a story deals with the search for meaning and significance in life. The symbols of the flowers as well as other symbolic images are used to explore this complex problem in an artistic and economic way.

Works Cited

DiYanni, R. Literature: Approaches to fiction, drama and poetry. (2nd ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill. 2004.