r’s apartment is symbolic of their search for meaning in their own lives. Because they are not satisfied with the way they live, they project the Stones life onto their own, to the extent of pretending to live in their apartment, if only for one moment. Bill’s fantasy of being like the Stone’s may be shown by his actions of taking a bottle of Harriet’s pills (14), and drinking and eating their food, with no qualms of invade his neighbors privacy (16). On page 15, Bill "“had the feeling that he left something" as he was closing the door to the Stone’s apartment. It is likely that he felt he was leaving behind the false persona of who and how he wanted to live like. After more frequent trips into the Stone’s apartment, Bill begins to wear their clothing, which is also symbolic of trying to put on their lives like a costume, as if wearing their clothes will make him like them. Throughout these covert trips, he tries to keep his real activities hidden from his wife by making excuses to her. At the end of the story, Arlene reveals that she too has been going through the Stone’s properties. “ I guess I should tell you. I found some pictures (19) .” After this, there seems to be a mutual understanding of what they each have done and they decide to go back into the apartment together, almost as if to affirm they both want to live their lives as the Stones.“ Maybe they won’t come back (19).” Arlene says hopefully implying that she would want to take over their apartment. When they realize that they have locked themselves out of the Stone’s apartment, Bill tells her not to worry. “They stayed there. They held each other. They leaned into the door as if against a wind and braced themselves (19).” This shows how the have given up and accepted the fate as not being like the Stones. Instead of breaking down the door and returning to the false comfort of ...
