The Photograph

The picture of Flora, Julian, Ruby, David and Margot taken in the summer of 2004 symbolizes the fleeting happiness, magic and togetherness of that summer, as well as also symbolizing the lies and secrets exposed by events just before and after. As the object of Flora's search that leads to her discovery of the ring that changes everything, Flora intends to give the picture to Ruby as a memento of family and friendship as Ruby begins life as an adult. Then, after Julian comes clean, the picture, taken the summer of his rekindled affair with Sydney, comes to represent the extent of Flora's unknowing and false pride. For Margot, the picture symbolizes her last vacation with David before his stroke altered the course of both of their individual lives as well as their marriage, which is contrasted by the present state of things in Ruby's present-day...