Symbol of Female Spider-dancer

The portrait of the "female-spider dancer" above the mantelpiece of Mia's living room was startling to Mrs. Richardson, as the image would continued to haunt her. It "perturbed and perplexed her" and made her view Mia abnormally (68). However, according to Native American Lore, the spider-woman weaves life inside a mother's womb- a perfectly creation or a trap? The imagery makes sense to Mia's character for a woman to be related to an arachnid. It is a portrait of maternity, but because spiders are stereotyped as ugly and scary, Mrs. Richardson would never think to compare her own femininity to it. It inspired unease in her, and it urged her "to keep an eye on Mia, as you might keep an eye on a dangerous beast" (69). The image of the spider-woman does not align with Mrs. Richardson's image of herself, signifying the stark difference between Mia and Mrs. Richardson as women and as mothers.