Florence’s Fan as a Symbol of Duality
“Florence laughed softly and eyed him over her fan. She always used a fan, even in the depth of winter - and indeed her boudoir was so luxuriously warm and fragrant that it did not there seem out of place.”
As indicated in this passage, Florence Vane is rarely seen without her fan; an article used in the novel to symbolize the duality of her character. In an emblematic fashion, she often hides part of her face, during conversation, by means of her fan. Similarly, she hides the dark side of her personality under the assumed languid attitude, which she often displays to the eyes of society.
Westwood’s Disguise as a Symbol of His Honesty
When Westwood came back from America in quest of his daughter, it was under an assumed name and a disguise that he did so. In England, he had impersonated Mr. Reuben Dare, who “was accordingly a rather too strikingly a picturesque individual to be anything but theatrical in air.” This detail is very emphatic, for it suggests the open nature of Westwood and his inability to hide and conceal any part of his character even when such a task is crucial for the safety of his own person.
The Penitent and the Judge – An Allegory
At the beginning of the story, Hubert commits a crime, the responsibility of which falls entirely on the shoulders of Andrew Westwood. Later on, when he decides to confess his offense and acquit the innocent man, his repentance is not achieved until he obtains the forgiveness of the latter. The following passage describes the scene in the form of an allegory where the innocent man is the sole judge of the repentant sinner, “Hubert listened and seemed to assent. His head was bowed, his arms were folded across his chest; he looked – Cynthia could not help the thought – like a prisoner receiving sentence, a penitent before his judge.”
Luxury as a Motif of Social Status
“Flossy grew a shade paler and looked up. She was still in her dressing gown – white edged everywhere with costly lace – and her fair hair was hanging loose over her shoulders” Social status plays a significant role in the development of the plot and the course, which the lives of certain characters, had taken. Florence seems to be cognizant of the importance of social position, and is therefore always surrounded by luxurious accommodations that reflect her rank in society. In this manner, opulence and comfort are used, in the novel, as a motif to develop the theme of social status, and point out how important appearances were at the time.
Secrecy as a Motif of Honor
When Westwood was convicted for the murder of Sydney, he could have testified that the latter was in a secret relationship with Florence. Such intelligence could have saved him from an unjust sentence, but his honor stood in the way of tarnishing the reputation of a dead man and implicating his family in further sorrow. Years later, the secret of Florence’s transactions with Meldreth was discovered to Enid, who could have unveiled the truth to her uncle. She too, however, had been checked by a sense of honor and tender emotions for the general and his son, and refused accordingly to breathe a word about the matter. Similarly, Cynthia who was suffered by Hubert to listen to his confession had refused solemnly to tell either her father or the police. Given all these examples, we can clearly see that secrecy is used in the novel as a Motif of honor and integrity.
