Apartment

Maggie and Jon's apartment is a symbol of companionship. Because Maggie has been with Jon for 10 years, after Jon leaves the apartment, she feels disoriented and alone. Once she ultimately leaves the space, she is forced to come to terms with the end of her relationship and the closeness she shared with her ex.

Phone

Maggie's phone is a symbol of avoidance. In the immediate wake of her breakup, Maggie is constantly on her phone. She is either surfing the internet, following strangers on social media, or texting her friends. Her obsession with her phone conveys her reluctance to face her emotions.

Skin Care

Maggie's involved skin care routine is symbolic of vanity. Maggie obsesses over her body in the wake of her breakup from Jon. The author repeatedly presents scenes of Maggie tending to her face and skin. Such scenes convey the ways in which...