The Perfect Couple

“Greer had hoped to have lived her whole life without ever patronizing a place called the Salt Lick BBQ.”

Greer’s unintentionally funny observation is both an example of the author’s use of humor and an illustration of the text’s theme of The Privilege and Limitations of Wealth and Status. To put-together and proper Greer, there is something unvirtuous about visiting a place with as seemingly vulgar a name as the Salt Lick BBQ.

“Viewed from a distance, Nantucket Island is everything Karen Otis dreamed it would be: tasteful, charming, nautical, classic.”

As the ferry carrying Karen and Bruce closes in on Nantucket shore, the coastline appears almost idyllic to Karen, symbolizing the health and stability she currently seeks. Karen’s impression of Nantucket shows that appearances can be misleading, because the tasteful and classic façade of the island will soon be marred by a tragic death.

“‘These families must have fifty million dollars each,’ Karen decides. ‘At least. And how does someone, anyone, make that much money?’”

Karen’s reflection highlights the text’s theme The Privilege and Limitations of Wealth and Status, incorporating the motif of symbols of status and luxury. The difference between the one per cent and the rest of humanity is evident. As Karen calculates the cost of Nantucket waterfront homes, she is struck by the sheer magnitude of money such homes must require. While families like the Winburys own beachfront estates with guest houses in Nantucket and penthouses in Manhattan, families like the Otises have to scrape by and take loans to cover college tuition for their children and medical funds for health emergencies.