A poet (symbol)
A poet is a symbol of refinement. There is a common misconception that poets are tender souls who can burst into tears with or without any reason. It seems that there is a fine line between "mere" mortals and gifted ones, and Aimee puts Barlow up on a pedestal only to get disappointed later. It turns out to be that the beautiful soul can be so “unethical” that it makes her “feel unethical too.” What is more, a poet – that idealized concept that used to be cultivated in the minds of ordinary people – can be “not at all cultured.” “He has been to Europe and seen the Art there” but these realities mean “nothing” to him. As soon as the flawless symbol becomes just a flawed person, Aimee runs away.
Whispering Glades Memorial Park (allegory)
Whispering Glades Memorial Park is an allegory that represents the fear of death. Almost everyone “approaching” optimum “earning phase” starts making “provision of many kinds” for his or her future – “investments, insurance policies and so forth.” “To spend the declining days in security” is not enough anymore. “To make it rich to die” and “to cease upon midnight with no pain” is a new goal. However, the truth is that people are too afraid of death, scared of that terrifying nothing that might await them. This is the reason why they waste lots of time on the absolutely unnecessary preparation and décor that Whispering Glades is famous for.
Playing with death (motif)
Games with death are one of the main motifs of the novel. Corpses are dressed up and painted as if they are dolls. “Embalmment, incineration,” and many other forms of burials are for the clients to choose. The lowest price is “fifty dollars” and “the most costly” is about 1000 dollars. It seems that everyone who enters Whispering Glades acts as though playing with dolls. What is more, the dead ones are only called “Loved Ones.” One might find such an approach comforting, but still it is a rather theatrical tactic. The image of Mr. Joyboy giving the corpse “the Radiant Childhood Smile” perfectly illustrates the theory.
