The angel doorknocker

On the door of Mercy House is an angel-shaped doorknocker. It symbolizes safety and protection. Whenever Evelyn tells a woman about Mercy house, she makes sure to tell them to look for the angel doorknocker. At Evelyn’s lowest moment she returns to Mercy House and gazes at the knocker. In her despair she notices that “its lips were parted as if asking God a question with no answer” (268). In this moment, Evelyn feels that there is no place for her to go to feel safe, that she has had everything taken from her. This symbol losing its feeling of safety for Evelyn represents that no matter what happens next, Evelyn will no longer find her refuge in Mercy House, even though she built it and has lived there for decades.

Lit windows

The lit windows of Chauncey Street are representative of safety and...