The Imagery of Mrs. McNair’s Double life - “Dream Children”
Godwin explains, “But if she told her husband that she, too, is in two live, he would become alarmed. She is discovering people like herself, down through the centuries, all over the world. She scours books, with titles like The Timeless Moment, The sleeping Prophet, Between Two Worlds, Silent union; a record of unwilled Communication; collecting evidence, weaving a sort of underworld net of colleagues around her.” In line with Lacanian psychoanalysis, the double life is tantamount to an Imaginary Order which is constructed by the books which Mrs. McNair prefers to read. The books permit her to create another illusional world which her husband is not cognizant of. She fabricates the world so that it can aid her in coping with her trauma.
The Imagery of Mr. Bandema’s Diet - “False Lights”
Annette recommends, “ Also, no fat or salt in food, preparation, less beef, more chicken and fish, more vegetables and salads, but no dressing in the salad, unless a little lemon. (Starting the meal with the salad helps cut the appetite.) And no cheese, except cottage cheese, and no alcohol.” The diet recommended by Annette is healthy and it is envisaged to ensure that Mr. Bandema’s will not aggravate his weight by consuming unhealthy food. Violating the recommendations would be detrimental to his health considering that he is currently overweight. Annette offers an orientation that will aid Violet in taking care of Mr. Bandema.
Mrs. Wakeley’s Thoughts - “Nobody’s Home”
Mrs. Wakeley thinks, “She is going to live there, make all the arrangements without telling her husband, then simply leave one day. When he comes home, she will not be there and he will not know why. She will be across the street, watching to see what happens without her.” Mrs. Wakeley is sad in her matrimony and she unconsciously yearns for a separation from her husband. She is not absolutely contented with living with him; hence, hatches a plan to leave him quietly and find her own residence. Perhaps, there is no love in their matrimony; thus, Wakeley has no purpose of remaining in it.
Mrs. Wakeley’s dressing - “Nobody’s Home”
Godwin writes, “Mrs. Wakeley dressed carefully to look like a responsible person (but she always dresses carefully, she always has been a responsible person) and leaves the house by the back door, walking quickly down the alley. She wears a fitted black coat with a fur collar, dark stockings, and plain black plumps with a sensible heel.” The dressing is projected to conceal her misery. People would be drawn to her dressing; hence, they would not notice her melancholy. Her dressing depicts her as a contented woman but she is not absolutely gratified.
