The Umbrella

Mary's umbrella symbolizes Fenella's growing maturity. In the beginning of the story, the umbrella's handle continuously pokes Fenella in the shoulder as they travel to the boat, rendering her passive even toward the object she carries. As the story progresses, however, Fenella starts to think about the umbrella as an important possession. She worries it will fall when the boat is rocking back and forth, and she anticipates her grandmother's request for the umbrella once they disembark. Fenella's relationship with the umbrella mirrors her growth from innocent and oblivious child to self-aware and mature adolescent.

The Young Boy

The young boy that Fenella sees as they rush toward the boat symbolizes childhood. Fenella notes that he "was jerked along angrily between his father and mother" and that "he looked like a baby fly that had fallen into the cream" (1). The young boy's helplessness parallels Fenella's...