The Old Farmhouse
The old farmhouse symbolizes a dark, compelling past. The author describes the old farmhouse house as ferocious because it has hidden secrets and unresolved riddles. The trouble begins because after moving in, George starts abusing his wife, and the end is tragic.
The Murder
Catherine's murder denotes the unhappiness and frustrations that couples go through in marriage. Catherine and George have a troubled relationship because he is abusive and aggressive. Later, Catherine thinks that enough is enough and decides to leave. When she tells her husband that she is leaving, he announces that he found her dead, suspected he is the main killer.
The Ghosts
The ghosts haunting Catherine in the old farmhouse symbolize her troubled life and premonitions. Perhaps, the reader hints that Catherine will join her ancestors because the ghosts are preparing her. Later, she is found brutally murdered.
Cole
Cole emblems solace and hope for Catherine. After observing her parents troubled marriage and losing her mother in mysterious circumstances, Franny decides to go back to the old farmhouse. When she arrives, she reunites with Cole, who at one point babysat her. Franny gets closer to Cole, and she starts feeling secure because she easily gets connected to him.
Catherine as a symbol of women’s captivity
Catherine is depicted as a symbol of women captivity in relationships. The reader realizes that Catherine's suffers at the hands of George, who is revealed as a domestic abuser. However, despite Catherine strong urge to leave him, she does not dare to go. Catherine represents the domestic violence many women go through silently, and they end up being killed instead of stepping up to leave the abuser.
