Beige Raincoats

The beige raincoats Charlene and the lover wear throughout the short story are symbolic of disguise. The characters are both wearing these coats when they meet. Charlene often likes to keep her raincoat on during later encounters with the lover, as the coat allows her to inhabit an alternate identity. The coat is thus the disguise or costume behind which she is trying to hide.

Lists

Throughout the short story lists are symbolic of control. After Charlene learns that Patricia is obsessed with lists, as she is an orderly person, Charlene starts making lists of her own. This newfound habit grants her an illusory sense of agency over herself and her circumstances.

Shoes

Repeated references to and images of shoes throughout the short story are symbolic of identity. Indeed, Charlene describes the experience of being a mistress as similar to that of wearing her shoes...