Symbolism in Astronomer’s Wife

In many short stories symbolism can play an immense part. For example in Kay Boyle’s “Astronomer’s Wife” one could find symbolism throughout the whole story. The difference between the husband and plumber is symbolized covertly at many different periods in the story. The figurative language used in “Astronomer’s Wife,” represents the depth of the main character’s thirst to understand why her husband is acknowledged with such high regard but represents restraint, while a plumber is recognized with such low regard but is the perfect person to set her free.
“Astronomer’s Wife” has three main characters: Mr. Ames, Mrs. Ames, and the plumber. For some strange reason Mr. Ames is placed on a high pedestal, “Mr. Ames would never go down there alive. He likes going up,” (59) is just one of the few examples that demonstrates how he likes to “be on top” of things, never below. Mr. Ames is perceived to be too good to succumb to any level beneath him. Trut...