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Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. The Attic
The attic serves as a central symbol of entrapment, control, and madness, drawing parallels to, and ultimately subverting, the trope of the "madwoman in the attic." Traditionally, this trope represents a woman hidden away due to supposed insanity, often symbolizing female oppression. In this novel, the attic operates as a literal prison where both Nina and Millie are held captive, but instead of it being a space for the "madwoman," it is a space where Andrew’s psychological abuse plays out. For Nina, the attic becomes a place where Andrew systematically breaks her down, using the isolation and deprivation to make her question her own reality, feeding into the narrative that she is "crazy." In this way, the attic is not just a symbol of physical confinement but of the mental unraveling orchestrated by Andrew. Ultimately, the attic symbolizes the manipulation of truth and reality, and the inversion of this classic symbol shows how the women are victimized by a system designed to strip them of their autonomy.
The Cot
The cot in the attic is a symbol of degradation, subjugation, and poverty. Both Nina and Millie are forced to sleep on the uncomfortable cot when locked in the attic, marking their lowest points in the novel. For Millie, who had eagerly anticipated the luxury of sleeping in a real bed after her time in prison and her period of homelessness, the cot represents a cruel twist of fate. Even when she is employed in the Winchesters' grand home, she is still relegated to an uncomfortable and humiliating space, reinforcing her continued marginalization and lack of control. When Millie is finally invited to sleep in the master bed with Andrew, it marks a moment where she believes she is gaining power and moving closer to the life she has always craved—one of comfort, luxury, and belonging. However, this shift is fleeting, and the cot becomes a powerful reminder of how temporary her position of power is.
