The garden wall
The garden wall near Phyllis's house symbolizes societal constraints and restrictions that prevent her from marrying the person she truly loves. Phyllis is engaged to Humphrey, a man who loves her, but she does not love him. She is supposed to keep her promise despite the societal gap to marry Humphrey. However, Phyllis has met Tina, a handsome man she loves. Phyllis's father does not want to hear anything about Tina because he wants her to get married to a man of high standing who is already engaged to her.
The symbolism of love
The gift Humphrey brings to Phyllis to ask for forgiveness symbolizes love. While Humphrey was in Berth, he learned that rumors of him neglecting Phyllis were rampant, prompting him to come and ask for forgiveness. To show his love, he brings a gift to Phyllis. When Phyllis overhears Humphrey saying that he has brought her a gift, she turns down Tina's offer to escape with him to Germany and heads home to wait for her gift.
Matthäus’ grave
Matthäus' grave is a symbol of loving memory. When Phyllis learns of the unfortunate death of Matthäus, she cries for several days and attends the funeral of the man she truly loved. Later, Phyllis took up the responsibility of tending Matthäus’s grave to keep his memory alive. After several years, Phyllis died, and she was buried next to Matthäus' grave, hoping they would reunite in heaven.
