Why I Should
Have Predicted
The Death Of
Clare Kendry

Winter is a symbol for death.

Careful emphasis
of window

Unusual to open
windows in winter

Weird amount
of detail

""It seems dreadfully warm in here.
Mind if I open this window?"
With that she pushed open one of
the long casement-windows of which
the Freelands were so proud." (206)

Spring symbolizes new
beginnings

Irene repeatedly says
how much she wishes for
March to come because it
meant Clare would be
out of her life forever

March was when Clare
was supposed to leave
with her family for
Switzerland

Irene often wishes
she can just be rid
of Clare forever

"Then came a thought
which she tried to
drive away. If Clare
should die!" (187)

"Irene was conscious of a feeling
of relieved thankfulness at the
thought that she was probably rid
of Clare, and without having lifted
a finger or uttered one word." (186)

"It would be enough to rid her
forever of
Clare Kendry." (181)

Teacup

Irene dropped the
cup on the floor
and it smashed

Alludes to Clare
dying when she
lands on the
ground

"I've never figured out a way
of getting rid of It until about
five minutes ago. I had an
inspiration. I had only to break
it, and I was rid of it for ever.
So simple!" (173)

Cigarette

Irene dropped it out
of the window she
had opened

Alludes to Clare
falling out the
same window

"Irene finished her cigarette and
threw It out, watching the tiny
spark drop slowly down to the
white ground below." (206)

"One moment Clare had been
there, a vital glowing thing,
like a flame of red and gold"
(209)

Flame, glowing - like the
cigarette

In the stairwell before
the party, Brian
foreshadows Clare
falling

"''Mind," Brian told
Clare, "you don't
fall by the wayside
before the fourth
floor."" (205)

On the snowy walkway
before the party, Brian
comments on Clare's
thin shoes - implying
she could slip