Coveralls

The coveralls are a symbol of Cowney's role as an employee at the resort, which is part of the hierarchy. This is further broken down by the fact that Cowney's coveralls are blue-gray and the supervisor's are khaki.

The Skeleton Key

Essie and the other maids have a skeleton key that is a symbol of the power of their positions. The key apparently opens every door in the resort. Essie is told the military would not approve because it lessens their security.

The Fence

There is fence around the resort which symbolizes the use of this property as a prison. When Cowney gets his photos of the property developed, he discovers an irregularity in the fence which is one of the first clues about what happened to the missing girl.

Cowney's Limp

Cowney hates it when people pity him for the crippled foot because he then...