Boxes

The boxes Katharina receives at the start of the novel are symbolic of the past. The boxes belonged to Hans and contain mementos from Hans's personal history and the era during which he was with Katharina. In excavating the boxes, therefore, Katharina is both unleashing the past into the present and allowing the past to transport her out of the present.

Cassettes

Hans's cassettes are symbolic of abuse. After discovering Katharina's affair with Vadim, Hans begins making the tape recordings for Katharina. The tapes contain hours worth of verbal and emotional abuse. Over time, they brainwash Katharina and cause her to lose her sense of self.

Headphones

Katharina's headphones are symbolic of isolation. The narrator consistently depicts Katharina wearing the headphones while listening to Hans's cassettes. The headphones create a divide between Katharina and the outside world. While wearing them, she has little sense of what...