The Maid

The hourglass most obviously symbolizes time—the passage of time that leads a child to maturity. However, it has a more complex meaning in Giselle’s life. It was given to her by her mentor, the woman who taught her how to seduce men to land a rich husband. In that sense, the hourglass marks time in Giselle’s marriage. Growth stopped for Giselle. Every time the sand runs out, the glass is turned over, the sand pouring back and forth and never changing or escaping.

Giselle passes the hourglass on to Molly, symbolizing that Giselle is a mentor in Molly’s life. In some ways, Giselle may be a less-than-ideal mentor, but in others, she conveys genuinely useful understanding. By passing on the hourglass, Giselle signifies that she is beginning to let go of her static role, and perhaps she will be able to move on to the next stage of life, maybe becoming an adult herself.

For Molly, the hourglass represents something different. It is a symbol of genuine friendship. Giselle has given a part of herself (the sand from her favorite beach) to Molly without reservation.