The Cat Bite as a Symbol for Unhealth
At the opening of the novel, Sophie is bit by a feral cat. Rather than address the incident, she deliberately ignores the wound, refusing to treat it properly or seek medical attention. Over the course of the book, this wound festers and becomes infected. The bite is a symbol for Sophie's problems, the most relevant of which is her failing marriage. Rather than take deliberate action to improve her life, Sophie is simply pretending her problems don't exist. She neither wants to fix nor be fixed. In the end, however, she realizes that these problems are very really. This is demonstrated when she becomes so ill that she finally concedes to visit a doctor for the treatment of the wound. Finally, she is taking steps toward physical health, paired with her efforts to improve her relationship with Otto and consequently her mental health.
The Horse Hair as a Symbol for Nostalgia
Sophie is caught up in the past. Remembering how delightful her time growing up on a farm was, she can't seem to move past that moment. In her eyes, nothing will ever measure up to the joy of her childhood. She continually returns to a specific memory of her father's couch which was stuffed with horse hair and would often prick her as a child. Sophie dwells upon the feeling of this horse hair so frequently that she can convince herself she feels that same prick. Her nostalgia has devolved into delusion.
Charlie and Otto's Discord as an Allegory of the Bentwood's Struggling Marriage
Since Sophie and Otto don't communicate with each other, they demonstrate a severe disfunction in their relationship. One might be tempted to blame Otto for his reservedness, but he is not always silent. He and Charlie fight at work constantly. They can't make it through a work day without losing their heads at one another. Generally Otto's criticism is of Charlie's extreme emotions, however, this critique can be interpreted as an allegory of Otto's own disfunction with his wife. The couple doesn't talk to one another, but he constantly levels accusations at his co-workers. This work relationship can be interpreted as an allegory for the relationship Otto would rather have with Sophie. Since he feels that his voice will not be heard by his wife, he takes advantage of his authority at work to voice all of his troubles. Unfortunately he doesn't recognize the transference and really treats Charlie badly.
The Cat as a Symbol for Marriage
When Sophie is bitten by the cat, she is introduced to a physical manifestation of disfunction. The cat has given Sophie a wound which she can either address or ignore, an outward symbol of her inward state. The cat's arrival coincides with Sophie's misgivings about her marriage. Right about the same time she essentially gives up on her relationship to Otto. When the two find the feral cat again near the end of the book, Sophie has the opportunity to kill it but refuses. The cat's preservation symbolizes Sophie's renewed commitment to her marriage.
Brooklyn as a Symbol for Isolation
Neither Otto nor Sophie wanted to move to Brooklyn, but Sophie especially detested the idea. Now that they live in such a large city, she rarely leaves the house or sees anybody because she's afraid to travel alone and because her responsibilities now all lie in the home. Contrast this situation with Sophie's comfy farmhouse and rich rural community. To her, Brooklyn is a place of total isolation, where she has no comforts to distract her from her failing relationship.
