The Theme Of Symbolism In 'Janus' By Ann Beattie

What is it exactly that makes a meritorious story that admirable?
Some stories are lucid of literary merit, while meritable stories are very complex and sometimes abstruse; likewise, the short story “Janus” by Ann Beattie shows all of the attributes of a well-written story.
Not all short stories are meritorious; however, this short story shows a well-developed theme, a deeper connection with the characterization of its characters, and a strategically placed symbol.

Well-developed themes can be found when one analyzes the conflict of the short story; thus, the theme of the story is that some people are too ridden with guilt to notice the complacency of their life.
Showing the theme of the story can be a formidable objective to accomplish

Not only are Symbols complex, but “A symbol may have more than one meaning. It may suggest a cluster of meanings…this possibility of complex meanings, plus concreteness and emotional power, gives the symbol its peculiar compressive value.” (187)
One of the symbols of this story has numerous meanings. Not only does the symbol of the bowl have great emotional intensity, but has a very complex, and meritorious meaning.
Symbolism is used throughout the text, as when it says “Could it be that she had some deeper connection with the bowl- a relationship of some kind? She corrected her thinking: how could she imagine such a thing, when she was a human being and it was a bowl?”
She does not consciously realize it, but she imagines the bowl as her lover. Andrea knows that it is wrong; however, she still cannot find it in herself to let it go. When she thought “how could she imagine such a thing” she was not actually talking about the bowl, but her affair. Her guilt over her affair and for the secret that she has kept from him is a remarkably strong