62 pages • 2 hours read
Gold Digger
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Symbols & Motifs
Names
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content.
Names symbolize relationships, power dynamics, identity, and intimacy. The use of various names and nicknames reflects shifting connections, closely tying this symbol to the romance genre and illustrating The Impact of Economic Disparity on Relationships. For instance, Lottie calling Hayley “lovebug,” Ollie’s multiple names, and the misuse of names all represent degrees of intimacy. At first, Lottie calls Ollie “sir” or “Your Grace,” emphasizing their formal relationship as an entry-level employee and her royal employer. Ollie doesn’t enjoy this proper title, and as their relationship becomes intimate, he sees that it creates unwanted emotional distance between them: “Call me Your Grace one more time, baby, and see what happens. […] [W]hen I was kissing you and when I made you come, you called me Ollie” (82). He prefers “Ollie” instead of “Oliver” or “Your Grace” because he wants to be seen as Lottie’s boyfriend, not a billionaire duke, emphasizing the romantic closeness he feels for Lottie. The switch from “Your Grace” to “Ollie” symbolizes their equality as lovers despite the social and economic distance between them.
Names highlight relationships and power imbalances throughout the novel. Most prominently, at the pool party, Margot refers to Lottie as “Charlotte,” assuming that it’s her real name and reinforcing a more formal, upper-class image. When Vicky corrects her mom, telling her that “Lottie” is her legal name, it solidifies their deep friendship. Accepting “Charlotte” in the moment, Lottie later defends her silence to Ollie by explaining the pressures of class differences. He has the privilege of being himself, while she must always be “agreeable” and “tread carefully” or risk losing her job and him: “Out of everyone there today, Hayley and I are the only ones who won’t be invited to another family party unless we’re agreeable” (230). Lottie’s reluctance to correct Margot reflects her fear of challenging power structures. Only when she feels secure with Ollie and his family does she fully embrace her true identity, never going by “Charlotte” again.
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication represents an intimate language, silent signals, warnings, and tools for learning. For Hayley, spoken language is often too difficult, so she relies on nonverbal cues: “She leaned forward to put her hand to the centre of my chest then to hers: her non-verbal I love you” (192). Her countless silent signals reinforce this symbol—whether warning Lottie not to challenge the principal with a look that means “don’t bother, there’s no point” (246), glaring at Blake as the culprit behind pushing Lottie into the pool, or using sign language. Due to her selective mutism, Hayley embodies this symbol—expressing emotions and thoughts through gestures like pointing, tilting her head, or giving meaningful looks. These signals serve as her dialogue until therapy and resolved conflicts help her speak more freely. This use of nonverbal communication allows Hayley to participate in conversations without words.
Nonverbal cues also symbolize learning, growth, and connection for Vicky. Like Hayley, Vicky struggles with traditional communication. With Lottie’s help, Vicky begins to recognize and interpret nonverbal signals. For example, the wrist squeeze signifies that she’s talking too quickly and losing her audience with details: “She [Vicky] knew to expect the wrist squeeze in this situation. It was the signal that we had come up with together to use if she needed to stop and take a breath” (127). Touch, in particular, becomes a vital form of communication, serving its purpose to help Vicky acclimate to social interactions and ease her anxieties. Lottie continues to use nonverbal communication to support Vicky, and the two develop their own secret language: “[B]ut I gave her a light poke under her arm on her ribs—the poke was a prompt to either ask a question or to agree with someone” (128). This silent form of connection strengthens their friendship and sparks Vicky to grow as a character, allowing her to thrive socially and build her clientele. This type of quiet communication serves its purpose most effectively for Hayley and Vicky, highlighting the symbol as a primary element of the text.
Chess
The game of chess symbolizes the larger game of romance, secrecy, and navigating conflicts with real consequences. Lottie and Ollie play chess in secret for months, making moves without the other knowing. Though they suspect each other, the secrecy of their chess games mirrors the hidden nature of their true feelings. Even telling his friends is a major disclosure for Ollie: “‘I have a crush on my cleaner.’ ‘You… what?’ Felix’s voice rose, and Mike choked on his coffee” (50). Ollie and Lottie don’t admit their attraction until he catches her moving a chess piece, emphasizing the game’s connection to their emotional reveal. In fact, immediately after Ollie discovers Lottie as the chess-playing culprit, they share their first sexual encounter on the couch. The fact that Lottie wins most of their games also foreshadows that she will “win” Ollie’s heart, outmaneuvering even his estrangement and spurning after she takes Margot’s deal. The strategic nature of chess reflects how they navigate their relationship—both in their budding romance and in overcoming external challenges like power imbalances, class differences, and the fake engagement.
As in life, every move in chess has consequences. As Lottie and Ollie progress through the steps of their romance—sharing vulnerabilities, going on dates, and making high-stakes choices—they face both expected and unexpected outcomes. For instance, Ollie impulsively announcing their engagement is akin to a checkmate against the police, ensuring Hayley and Lottie’s safety and preventing child services from reprimanding them: “I’m Lottie’s fiancé, you see, so really, this is Hayley’s second home. In fact, this is all just a big misunderstanding, seeing as Hayley didn’t actually run away” (168). Ollie protects Lottie and Hayley just as chess pieces guard their queen. Conversely, Lottie’s decision to take Margot’s deal has disastrous results for her relationship with Ollie, yet it benefits Hayley by securing her much-needed treatments. Their romance, like a game of chess, requires patience, observation, and sacrifice—proving that love, like strategy, is about more than just the next move.
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