Memoir

Dorothy's memoir is symbolic of legacy. Trapped at Bedford Hills, Dorothy has no other way to right her story in the eyes of the public. Penning her memoir is the way that she seeks to control and to disseminate her legendary story, and thus to preserve her memory.

Food

Throughout the novel, images of and references to food are symbolic of desire. Dorothy is not only a food critic. Rather, she is obsessed with cooking and eating food. This obsession is begotten of her inarticulable and insatiable desires.

Murder

The murders that Dorothy commits throughout the novel are symbolic of power. Because Dorothy often feels disempowered or limited by her sexual and romantic relationships, she repeatedly decides to kill her lovers. Murdering them is Dorothy's dysfunctional manner of reclaiming her power and authority over herself.

Bedford Hills

Bedford Hills is symbolic of entrapment. Although Dorothy has...