The Nebraska Prairie (Symbol)
To Clark, the flat plains of Nebraska where Aunt Georgiana lives represent the loneliness and desolation of her life. Devoid of anything but crops and wildlife, the prairie holds none of the rich culture available in Boston. Without such culture and music, the prairie facilitates the weathering of Aunt Georgiana's soul itself.
Music (Symbol)
In addition to the thematic importance of music throughout this text, music also symbolizes beauty, pleasure, and culture to Clark. He reminisces about how his aunt taught him music when he was working on the farm in Nebraska, categorizing these memories of music-making as brief interludes in the otherwise grim landscape. Without music, there was only "a cornfield that stretched to daybreak." In other words, he views the lack of music in Aunt Georgiana's life as evidence of lack of pleasure or beauty. Thus, he plans to take her to listen to music when she visits him, a "little pleasure" that he hopes will bring some beauty back into her life.
