Veda's Piano (Symbol)
Bert seems specifically upset about the fact that Mildred bought Veda, their daughter, a fancy grand piano. While he's upset about their financial crisis in general, the piano sticks out as a particularly meaningful purchase. In his eyes, Veda does not have enough musical talent to justify the purchase of a grand piano, but Mildred disagrees, suggesting that Veda deserves the best piano, so she can continue her musical education. The piano symbolizes the discrepancy between Mildred and Bert's philosophy of parenting, particularly as it pertains to providing for Veda. While Mildred sees something as special and unique as a grand piano as essential for Veda's happiness, Bert believes that Veda is talentless and ungrateful, and thus does not deserve the piano. The piano represents their differing philosophies and the ways that they view Veda differently.
Veda's Cheap Dress (Symbol)
The dress that Mildred is so excited about having bought Veda, which Veda carelessly rejects upon opening it, because it is not of the most expensive material, becomes an early symbol of Veda's destructive and ungrateful attitude. Veda is heartless and does not recognize that her mother made sacrifices in order to buy her the dress, so her callous disregard for it, after Mildred worked to get it for her, represents her carelessness and spoiled attitude. Additionally, it represents Mildred's pursuit of Veda's love through material objects, her ill-advised belief that the only way to make Veda love her, in spite of Veda's apparent rottenness, is to shower her with more gifts. It represents the uphill battle of Mildred's maternal affection, as well as Veda's completely unconscionable sense of entitlement.
Mildred’s Waitress Uniform (Symbol)
Mildred’s waitress uniform becomes an object of revulsion for Veda precisely because it symbolizes the fact that her mother has to work a job in the service industry in order to provide for her family. Veda, who loves to put on airs and imagines herself to be much wealthier, sees her mother's job as beneath her station, and the uniform symbolizes her mother's shameful profession. Veda hates anything that is not refined and elegant, and the waitress uniform represents utility and having to work with one's hands to earn a living.
The Divorce Settlement (Symbol)
The check that Veda manages to get from Ted Forrester's family to take care of a child that does not exist symbolizes just how far Veda will go to get money. Lying about a pregnancy is a particularly unethical way to acquire $10,000, but Veda has no qualms with doing so. Additionally, the check comes to symbolize Veda's desire to get away from her mother, as she tells Mildred that she plans to use it to move away from everything she despises about her. When Mildred tears up the check, it is the first time that she stands up against Veda and stops her from being a malevolent brat. The check symbolizes Veda's malevolence, the fact that she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Parrots (Motif)
Parrots show up a few times in the film, in peculiar places. Early on in the film, we see a parrot framed within a wall cutout at a restaurant. Then later, there is a parrot at Wally's nightclub, where Veda finds work as an entertainer. A parrot is an ornamental pet: pretty and teachable up to a point, but serving no broader purpose. This mirrors the way that Veda is concerned with things that have no utility, but that are beautiful or ornamental, which is a central feature of her personality.
