Julian's Apartment

Julian's apartment symbolizes stasis. Ava continues to live with Julian in his expensive apartment rent-free even after she realizes she is unhappy with their arrangement. The apartment grants her the illusion of stability and success without her having to take any real action in her life. While she lives here, she remains in a state of powerless immobilization.

Teaching Job

Ava's teaching job is symbolic of predictability. Not unlike her arrangement with Julian, the job grants her life a familiar mundanity. She dislikes her work and struggles to get along with her coworkers and managers. Even still, Ava does not pursue new work, because the job is stable enough.

Message Drafts

The messages Ava drafts to Julian and Edith throughout the novel are symbolic of fear. Instead of simply confronting her sexual partners and telling them how she feels, Ava develops a habit of writing...