Spring

In the story, the season of spring symbolizes the ways in which the environment can affect a person’s identity or outlook. The story opens by explaining that spring weather, especially in May, can make people more prone to love and romance. That dynamic then remains present throughout the story.

Ice

Ice in the story symbolizes misanthropy and discomfort. After Constantia has a large quantity of ice placed in the basement, Mr. Coulson’s love for Mrs. Widdup becomes replaced by gruffness. These dynamics function as a corollary to the story’s explorations of how environment affects personality and outlook.

Gout

Mr. Coulson’s gout symbolizes infirmity and old age. One of Mr. Coulson’s primary character traits is his old age. He has an illness called gout which, in conjunction with his age, makes him generally dependent on other people. Additionally, his old age possibly...