Symbol for superiority
When Saville and Doricourt talk about various countries, they mention how none of them compare with England. France and Italy are criticized for various reasons while England is portrayed as the best country there can ever be. Because of this, the characters also look down on the people from other countries and see the English men as being superior to everyone. Thus, Englishness is used here as a symbol for superiority.
Symbol for jealousy
When Frances is first introduces, her husband, George, appears on stage as well. The characters who are on the stage as well talk about George’s way of dealing with his wife and his reluctance to let his wife to go out without him and be in the presence of any men because he is jealousy. One of the characters on stage points out how George got rid of one of Frances’s birds for the simple reason he saw the bird as a person trying to get his wife’s attention. The bird is an important element because it is used as a symbol to suggest the extent to which George’s jealousy affects his life and his relationship with his wife.
Unreliable servants
One of the common motifs found in the play is the idea that the servants of the time are unreliable. Time and time again, the reader sees as the masters are betrayed by their own servants, who sell their secrets to whoever is willing to pay the right price. This shows just how unreliable the servants really are.
Greek Gods and Goddesses
Another common motif found in the play is the frequent mentioning of various Greek Gods and Goddesses. The deities are mentioned when one of the characters wants to highlight how a person or situation is out of this world or extraordinary in some sense or another. Thus, the names are used here to suggest how some of the characters have extraordinary qualities.
Death chamber
The secret of the woman’s identity is revealed at the end, in Mr. Hardy’s death chamber. Mr. Hardy called Doricourt to him, to call off the engagement and in that moment Letitia revealed herself. This scene transmits another motif found in the play, namely how many people will reveal the truth only at the end of their life. This shows just how much a person wants to keep up the appearances and how important it is for them to make sure that the rest of the people like them.
