Lamps

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.

The Library

The library at Lyng is where Mary is standing in the beginning of the story. It is also where Ned works and where they have the majority of their conversations. The library symbolizes the heart of the house where all the secrets and unknowns...