The Swastika
Not only is the Swastika symbolic of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party, it is a powerful symbol for Lee Miller of opportunity. Because of Hitler and his Nazis, Miller felt called to become a war correspondent for Vogue, blazing trails for women to become more actively involved in the press.
Illicit Substances
Illicit substances, like alcohol and drugs, were Lee Miller's ways of coping with the trauma she endured during World War II. They were symbolic of a means of escape for Miller, who was haunted by her experiences and sought a way to alleviate her tremendous pain.
Hitler's bathtub
The photograph of Lee Miller in Adolf Hitler's bathtub in his Munich apartment is a powerful symbol of victory and Miller's rambunctious attitude. At the time the photo was taken, the Allied forces (led by Britain and the United States) were closing in on Nazi German headquarters in Berlin. Miller took the photo not only to celebrate the Allied force's victory, but to lambast the idiocy of Hitler and his minions. The photo was not only a turning point in the war, but in Miller's career, as the photo became an iconic representation of Allied victory.
Photography trips
Throughout the novel, author Antony Penrose (Lee Miller's son) recounts countless photography trips his mother took. This motif serves to underscore his mother's profound interest in the art form until the day she died, further reinforcing the idea that she was dedicated to her craft.
