Marriage and patriarchy
The abstract imagery of Chris's assumptions about life are critical in understanding her motivation. She accepted a role that was handed down to her by her family, a theme she explores in the second half of the epistolary novel. She feels that marriage is self-explanatory, and although she hates the way men have treated her, especially growing up, she still sees the world in terms of patriarchy. One could say her obsession with Dick is just a complex way of inviting a new male to save her. She starts to see the need for feminism by exploring her early childhood memories through letters to Dick.
Letters
The epistolary form of the novel is itself a crucial imagery. It points to the human need for relationship, a need that causes Chris to be deeply confused, because she wants to be independent, but only by inventing a fake life through letters can she have enough companionship with herself to actually gain clarity. She is writing letters, but not sending them. She is essentially talking to herself. Her relationship with Dick is only the starting place for this relationships—she quickly makes up a narrative about him that isn't real.
Fantasy
The most tangible use of fantasy imagery is sexual fantasy, when she realizes that by writing letters with intimacy in them, she starts experiencing deep urges for sexual relationship with Dick. This points to the fantasy itself, because her body is asking her to make good on emotional promises she is making through self-delusion. She wants it to be real so she can feel something exciting and visceral. The imagery of fantasy points to her feelings of claustrophobia and confusion.
Desperation
When Dick finally catches wind of how badly Chris wants him, he doesn't find it charming or inviting. That is an indication that he feels she has become desperate. The desperation she experiences is complex and although the men in the novel feel she should be embarrassed, Chris starts to see that she isn't necessarily desperate in the ways they think she is. She wants to be free from the ideas that have bound her. She wants her own approval, and to be involved in a life narrative that excites her to the core. She wants to feel alive and powerful.
