The Girl in the Mirror
Very early in the story, Therese is pressed into trying on a dress made by Mrs. Robichek. When she looks in the mirror, Her first thought is that beauty in the reflection is the real her and not the plainly dress girl looking into the mirror. Then this dissociation takes a strange, but significant turn: “She wished she could kiss the person in the mirror and make her come to life.” The symbolism of seeing herself for the first time as she really is and wanting to kiss her symbolizes the confusion inherent in coming to terms with her sexual attraction to other females.
Kites
Kites are laden with meaning according to context so it is really kind of misleading to identify them as a single symbolic incarnation of one thing. The primary consideration as symbol, however, lies in the basic defining construction of a kite as something defies gravity by elevating into the air, but which remains tethered to earth. Only when a kite breaks free of its string can it really soar, but with the inherent mystery of not knowing what condition it will be in when the soaring has ended. This property most closely identifies it a symbol of Therese.
Therese’s Model Sets
Therese designs models of theatrical sets which will later be constructed to full size. So, essentially, she is twice removed from reality as the models are a miniaturized version of the illusion which they become as sets. Carol’s question, “How do you ever expect to create anything if you get all your experiences second hand?” is intimately connected to the symbolism of the sets as they are ultimately fictions of reality at their place of origin.
The Display Case Valise
The display case valise which Carol says she wants to buy the first time she and Therese meet becomes a symbol of foreshadowing. Therese is not supposed to sell the display merchandise and so goes out on a limb by breaking the rules for a woman she doesn’t even know. Carol’s awareness that Therese broke the rules and Therese’s direct confirmation thus makes the sale—for a while at least—a secret just the two of them share. That symbolism should be more than obvious.
Waterloo
The town of Waterloo carries symbolic weight because of its connection to Napoleon Bonaparte. The much more famous Waterloo in Europe is where Napoleon’s empire finally came to an end with his defeat and surrender. It is in a hotel in Waterloo where Therese and Carol finally surrender to their passion. That surrender occurs in a room that has—unknown to them—been “bugged” by a detective hired by Carol’s husband. So Waterloo also becomes the symbol of the defeat of their love (maybe?) when Carol surrenders to her husband’s divorce demands.
The Miniature Town
At the deli towards the beginning of their road trip together, Carol compliments the owner of the deli on the miniature version of the town he has built, however once she does this Therese thinks of how she herself know better how long it took to make the miniature. Therese shows her frustrations with Carol's misunderstanding of how dificult it can be to create 3D artworks such as her own set designs, and the Christmas decorations from Christmas.
