Importance of Scarlett's Couch

Scarlett's couch, located in the basement of her Chicago apartment, symbolizes the familiarity that Jessie enjoyed while living in Chicago while her mother was alive. She longs to return to that same environment despite knowing that it will be different, and fondly recalls Scarlett's parents' basement, which was "[not] home, not even close, but closer than what I have now" (209). However, Jessie realizes that the status quo has not endured in her absence, and the couch is now used as place where Scarlett and Adam Kravitz make out, indicating a shift from childhood innocence to adulthood and the ensuing problems.