Marriage

Within the narrative, the idea of marriage symbolizes the inherent uncertainties present within romantic relationships. Toward the beginning of the narrative, Nick and Hannah were experiencing dysfunction in their relationship due to uncertainty about the viability of marriage. Nick then realized that he wanted to marry Hannah, so they became engaged. However, he later found out that Hannah had doubts and fears of her own regarding marriage.

Wright House

Wright House symbolizes the accumulation of pain and tragedy over the course of history. Over the course of the novel, Nick and the reader become familiar with several distinct tragedies that took place in or near the house: William Wright’s death, Edmund Wright’s death, Jan Kemp’s death, and Hannah’s death. While the theories about ghosts may explain these deaths, these theories also stand as an attempt to make some type of sense out...