Is She Really Going Out with Him?

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content. 

“Looking down at the illustration of the fairy-tale wedding, a mental corset pings open.”

This quote symbolizes Anna’s liberation from the restrictive, idealized notions of romance she has internalized over the years. The reference to a fairy tale represents the societal expectation that love must follow a perfect, predetermined path. These expectations have constrained her thoughts and emotions like a corset restricts movement and breath. The imagery of the corset releasing signifies a sudden awakening as Anna begins to reject outdated beliefs about love and happiness.

“I am not a phoenix. I am a dazed pigeon, looking for crumbs. But I am fine with that; being a phoenix looks exhausting.”

This quote reflects Anna’s acceptance of her imperfect journey of self-discovery. The mythical creature symbolizing grand reinvention, the phoenix, represents societal pressure to emerge from challenges as a dramatically transformed, triumphant figure. In contrast, Anna likens herself to an ordinary, bewildered bird simply searching for sustenance, highlighting her approach to personal growth. She embraces the small, incremental steps that define real progress by rejecting the need for an extreme transformation.

“Am I dead wood?”

Anna harbors deep insecurities about her relevance and sense of purpose. The metaphor of dead wood depicts something lifeless and no longer growing, highlighting her fear that she has stagnated romantically and personally since her divorce. This moment encapsulates her struggle with self-worth as she questions whether she is capable of passion, love, and new beginnings.