New Year's Resolutions (Symbol)
Bridget Jones's Diary opens with Bridget writing a list of resolutions, which symbolizes her displeasure with her current life and behavior. Beginning with vows to drink less, be tidier, spend less money, avoid men with commitment issues, not bitch about people behind their backs, and stop obsessing over her boss, Bridget moves on to a list of promises that include improving her career, getting skinny, saving money, being confident, being assertive, giving to charity, working out, and forming a "functional relationship with a responsible adult." At the end of the book, Bridget concludes that she failed to follow through with all her resolutions except one—a nod to the relationship she forms with Mark Darcy. Despite the many disregarded resolutions, Bridget comments that she has had an excellent year of progress towards her self-improvement goals, as being in a relationship with Mark makes other doubts and concerns fade away.
Single Bed In Parents' House (Symbol)
The bed Bridget sleeps in at her parents' house is a symbol of her lack of a romantic relationship. At the beginning of the novel, Bridget drives out of London to attend the Alconburys' Turkey Curry Buffet. Staying over at her parents' house, Bridget laments that once again she is spending the first days of the year in a single bed at her parents' house. Bridget views this fact as indisputable evidence that she has yet to establish a stable romantic relationship and perhaps never will find a loving partner.
"Do Not Ring Daniel" Note (Symbol)
The note that Tom tapes to Bridget's telephone is a symbol of Bridget's lack of willpower. When she discovers that Daniel has been cheating on her with an American woman, Bridget leaves Daniel's flat and resolves not to return his calls. But as the days go by, Bridget feels compelled to call. Luckily, her friend Tom has predicted that Bridget's willpower will waver, and he "has taped a piece of paper to the telephone saying, 'Do not ring Daniel or you will regret it.'" With this reminder, Bridget is prevented from breaking her promise to herself that she will have nothing more to do with her cheating ex-boyfriend—at least temporarily.
Being Eaten By an Alsatian (Motif)
Throughout the novel, Bridget comments on her "fear of dying alone and being found three weeks later half-eaten by an Alsatian," a reference to the phenomenon of single people dying in isolation and having their bodies eaten by a starving pet. Although her fear of dying alone is real, Bridget repeatedly references the possibility of being eaten by an Alsatian (German shepherd) as a darkly humorous, worst-case-scenario punishment for never getting married. When she rejects Daniel's "emotional fuckwittage" and cuts their first sexual encounter short, Bridget knows her "reward" for having principles is that she will be eaten by an Alsatian. The motif also comes up when Bridget worries over why Mark hasn't phoned her. Ultimately, the motif showcases Bridget's grim sense of humor as she deals with the pressure of living in a society where most people expect women to get married and have children before their biological clock runs out and their status as a single woman is cemented.
Watching Cricket on Sunday (Symbol)
Daniel’s desire to stay inside on Sundays and watch games of cricket on television is a symbol of his lack of commitment to Bridget and their relationship. While Bridget would prefer to spend quality time with her boyfriend by going out to enjoy the pleasant summer weather with a picnic, or taking a mini-break somewhere in the countryside, Daniel's interest lies in drinking to excess and having sex with Bridget at night, then drawing the curtains to block out the sun and sitting around her flat watching cricket on TV. After weeks of feeling emotionally neglected by Daniel, Bridget interrupts a cricket match and demands to know why he doesn't want to go away with her. Rather than address his behavior, Daniel skirts the subject by suggesting Bridget book a holiday that he will pay for. It is only once Daniel's cheating is revealed that his disinterest in the non-sexual aspects of the relationship makes sense.
