Lila's Photo

The photo of Lila is used as a pawn, both by her and about her. Michele shows great interest in the photo and wants it for the shop on the Piazza. Lila desires this to happen, but pretends it doesn't matter, which calms Stefano down initially. Then the other men convince Stefano to allow it, and then Lila butchers it, symbolizing what she feels has happened to her since marrying Stefano. Like most things that Lila puts her hand to, it works, and people are amazed at her boldness and talent.

Physical Money

The author mentions several times the physical act of Lila throwing money around- here to Pasquale for the dentist, here to Ada for some new makeup, here to Carmen, here to Elena for new books. The sight of the money changing hands is important. It shows that the passing of the thing...