In what way are lamps symbolic in the novel, Afterward?

The lamps for which Mary is waiting in the beginning of the story are significant because they represent knowledge and information. The lamps literally shed light on the darkness of the library, and as such they come to represent Mary's desire to understand more about Lyng, her husband, her marriage, and their financial situation. The lamps symbolize a challenge to the mystery and obstruction of knowledge that seems to prevail in every conversation Mary has with her husband, and their belatedness in the first part of the story suggests that Mary will face ongoing mystery and confusion as events progress.