The symbol of the Ghost
The ghost has been used symbolically to imply that the author has a lot of questions regarding himself. Andre’ Breton is doing everything to rediscover himself, but it is an uphill task. He asks many questions about his existence without precise answers. He writes:
“My image of the ‘ghost’ including everything conventional about its appearance as well as its blind submission to certain contingencies of time and place, is particularly significant for me as the finite representation of a torment that may be eternal”
From this symbol, the reader can understand why the author asks the question, "Who am I?" at the beginning of the story. It is simply because he does not understand himself. In the same way, it is very hard to understand a ghost.
The Motif of the Two Gates
The two gates in the story are used symbolically to refer to Hugo's reflections. The author notes that those two gates are like a mirror in Hugo's strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, when the author refers to the gates, the reader can interpret them as Hugo's reflection. The author writes:
“Those two gates are like a mirror of his strength and weaknesses; we do not know which stands for his significance, which for his greatness.”
The symbol of ‘Arrangement of Objects’
The author has used the arrangement of objects to symbolize the rearrangement of life. At some point, it becomes necessary for an individual to relook or reflect on his life and make necessary changes to cope with the current situation. Rearrangement of once life gives birth a new beginning. The author writes:
"….Rearrangement of the objects and the entire enigma of revelation consisted of him in this world: surprise. Certainly, the resulting work remained closely linked with what had provoked its birth"
The allegory of the Glass House
The glass house is used to refer to a transparent life. For instance, the author implies that he chooses to live a life of no regrets because he is ready to do things right to avoid any future regrets. Also, by living a transparent life, he can easily associate with others with ease. For instance, living a dark life can easily deny him an opportunity to see those around him. The author notes:
"I myself shall continue to live in my glasshouse where you can always see who comes to call; where everything hanging from the ceiling and on the walls stays where it is as if by magic, where I sleep nights in a glass bed, under glass sheets, where who I am I will sooner or later appear etched by a diamond"
The symbol of the spider web
The spider web has been used in the story to refer to a signal. The author notes that in life one has to be cautious of signals because they mean a lot. An attempt to ignore a signal can easily land an individual into a trap. Just like a fly, one can get trapped in a certain situation which could have been avoided. The author writes:
“I am concerned with facts of quite unverifiable intrinsic value, but which, in their absolutely unexpected, violently fortuitous character, and the kind of association of suspect ideas they provoke-a way of transforming gossamer into spider web (that is, into what would be the most shimmering, delicate thing in the world were it not for the spider in the corner…”
