The country house of Edgewood
To symbolize the Drinkwater’s strange family history, the author uses the country house in Edgewood. The house was designed and built by the eccentric great-grandfather of Alice, who was a renowned architect during that time. John Drinkwater associated the house with faeries and that relationship has remained for many generations. The house he built is still there and it carries the history of the family.
Smoky
Smoky is a symbol of infidelity. He is married to Alice, a beautiful and respectful woman who is focused on making sure that her family succeeds. Alice does not know that her husband is cheating on her with her sister, Sophie. Smoky knows that he has impregnated Sophie, but he keeps it a top secret. Sophie makes George think that he is the father of the child she is carrying.
Architecture
The faerie world is symbolized by the eccentric architecture of Edgewood. While designing the house, John ensured that several houses of different sizes consecutively fitted into a larger house. The design represents strings of the outer world. As one moves from one world to the other, the houses enlarge in size. Therefore, whoever visits the country house in Edgewood must follow specific instruction on how to pass from one house to the other because they represent faeries.
