Soul Mirror
Belle says, “And she looks quite sad in her white silk blouse. As if she is grieving for us and our poor necks. “They often get neglected, don’t they?” She looks right at me with her golden eyes. I find myself nodding as I always do.” She is sitting in the mother's bathroom while watching a skincare video about neck care. Belle reminisces about her mother who had a keen interest in maintaining the appearance of her neck. The mother's emphasis on neck care is possibly about concealing inner emotions. This image of the neck as a mirror of the soul suggests that the mother believed that it could reveal the truth about them.
Surreal Transformation
While Belle watches a video on her phone, the woman looks directly into the camera as if she is seeing her reflection. She asserts, "The woman in the video smiles wide. She brings the red jar closer to her lips like she’s about to take a bite. Something about the look in her shining eyes. As if she, too, can actually see me sitting here with my back to the water. The future is a void and I’m standing at the black mouth looking down. She sees all that. Sees and knows. Not just the truth of my face, but what lies beneath." The red color symbolizes passion and desire as it is associated with love and sensuality. In this context, it suggests that the use of the product can lead to a profound transformation. The imagery also hints at self-discovery and the idea that true beauty comes from within.
Distorted Reflections
Belle finds herself in a peculiar setting seemingly inside a spa or aquarium-like space. She states, "A jellyfish swims past her, through her, and then through her I see another figure. At the opposite end of the tank, on the other side of the glass. Standing there like I am. Gazing into the water. That man in the hat who was staring up at me earlier. He’s got a black, pointed beard. Circular eyeglasses that make him look vaguely Victorian. He’s familiar too, why?" The aquarium's glass separates the characters from their reflections making it a boundary. The appearance of the man with the Victorian features inside the tank adds to the surreal atmosphere of the scene. Moreover, the people's reactions to the curtains closing with some in anguish add to the sense of mystery.
Beauty and Sunlight
The transformation in the way she views the sun reflects the mother's impact on Belle's perception of beauty. She says, "The broad-brimmed white hat with the beautiful black ribbon to protect her face from the sun. Because the sun is our mortal enemy, sweetie, Mother always says." Moreover, the description of the sun's "death rays" paints a vivid picture of the mother's obsession with evading the sun. This imagery underscores the idea that the mother is deeply invested in preserving her beauty. It adds depth to the complex mother-daughter relationship and the theme of societal beauty standards.
