Dinner Party

Liselle's dinner party symbolizes performance. Though Liselle has learned how to host such affairs at Winn's behest, she continues to dislike them. Therefore, the dinner party is Liselle's attempt at playing her assigned role as Winn's wife and marital counterpart. Over the course of the evening, Liselle straddles two different versions of herself: the fabricated self and the true self.

Selena

Selena's character symbolizes stability. Though Selena struggles with depression and anxiety, and relies upon Liselle during their relationship, she offers Liselle a sense of constancy. Therefore, when distance forms between the women, Liselle feels ungrounded and dislocated from her true self.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia symbolizes comfort. After two years of living in New York after college, Liselle realizes that she is unhappy. She decides to move back to her hometown. Because the city is familiar, Liselle believes happiness and contentment will be easier to find...