The City of Invention
The City of Invention is a symbol used early in the work. The imaginary domain is an attempt to illustrate what it feels like to belong in a community of ideas. Just like real life has its societies and cultures, the realm of literature has this symbolic, metaphorical domain where ideas can be shared in a communal way. They can both be in community with Austen, and once Alice has belonged in the City of Invention, Fay feels she will be a great writer.
Austen as a symbol
Austen is a symbol for literature and feminism to Fay, but more importantly, Fay says that Austen's literature is open for interpretation, so she encourages Alice to read her works for herself so that Alice can explain what Austen means to her. Austen is therefore a symbol for both women's voices, because encountering a book like Emma will illustrate what Austen might mean in either person's life.
Literature and ethics, a motif
When Fay talks about serious literature, she doesn't make it sound easy. She makes it sound worth-while. And why is it worth Alice's time and energy to read Jane Austen? Because Fay believes it will catalyze ethical growth in Alice, making her encounter true literary genius. By acknowledging how surreal and amazing Austen's stories are, Fay hopes Alice will take responsibility for doing what it takes to follow in Austen's footsteps to become a great writer, not just a good writer.
Enid as the voice of society
Enid is Alice's mother, and to Fay and Alice, she represents the "normal" opinion of their family women. Enid is concerned for instance that Fay is indoctrinating Alice with counter-cultural, "dangerously" feminist ideas, but Enid herself benefits from feminism without knowing it. In the end, Fay earns a seat with her sister to discuss what feminism means to her over tea, a symbol for Enid and Fay's community. Just because they disagree doesn't mean they cannot support one another. The dynamic is symbolic for the political opinions they represent.
Alice's success
It's difficult to know precisely how Alice took Fay's advice, but this much is certain. When Alice becomes a well-known novelist, that is certainly influenced by Fay's constant and thorough encouragement. Alice doesn't "owe" her success to anyone necessarily, but the success is a symbol for all the women who have written before, at least to Fay. Fay herself feels that to be free from the confines of society means more than dyeing one's hair; it means having the ethical wherewithal to do what it takes in life to truly succeed at one's goals. Alice's success represents a kind of mastery of self.
