Elvira's Death

Elvira's death symbolizes Lyla's loss of innocence. Before Elvira is found dead in the fountain, Lyla believes that she is an innocent bystander to Graham and Margo's sadistic game. She does not realize the extent of her culpability in sanctioning their actions until Elvira dies. After the tenant's apparent suicide, Lyla is forced to accept the role she played in the woman's death and actively engage in the game to destroy tenants' lives. She is unable to return to the role of bystander despite her desire to do so.

The Tower

The author utilizes the tower attached to Margo's mansion as a symbol for the eyes of God. The austere turret is positioned physically above the characters at all times like a divine being that watches down on the earth. Throughout the novel, Lyla glances up at the tower as she would God, when she...