Oppression vs Freedom

The key to the house is the ultimate symbol of the entire story. The key which literally opens the door to the locked house is metaphorically the key to Mrs. Foster overcoming the oppression of her husband to enjoy freedom. The key is also symbolic of the story’s deep-seated irony which permeates throughout the narrative: Mrs. Foster gains her freedom by not turning the key rather than actually using it.

The elevator is another profoundly ironic symbol of Mrs. Foster’s freedom. Mrs. Foster’s freedom is dependent upon becoming unstuck from the cycle of oppressive domination by her husband. That freedom comes about precisely because Mr. Foster has literally become stuck with no way of regaining his freedom and, in the end, losing not just his freedom but his very life.