Introduktion
"The Dress," authored by Julia Darling in 2006, delves into the intricacies of a strained relationship between two sisters and their mother.

In the course of this analysis, I will explore the symbols and themes embedded in the text, as well as dissect the mother's interactions with her children, shedding light on why she appears reticent to afford them the attention they yearn for.

Furthermore, I will delve into the dynamics of Flora and Rachel's relationship, unraveling the mystery behind Flora's desire to appropriate Rachel's clothing.

Utdrag
Neglect emerges as a central theme in the text, most conspicuously in Flora's desperate plea for attention. She resorts to theft, stealing Rachel's dress, while the mother remains unable to provide her daughters with the attention they crave.

The mother's demanding career consumes a substantial portion of her time, leaving her yearning for affection upon her return home. This professional commitment impedes her ability to resolve the conflict between her daughters.

With her divorced status, she is expected to be the family's matriarch, responsible for managing their issues. Nevertheless, she relinquishes control and avoids addressing her daughters' strife.

She attempts to mask and ignore their conflicts, as evidenced by the passage, "She suddenly wished they had gone to the cinema and sat together in silent darkness" (ll. 88- 89).

The description of the meticulously ordered kitchen further underscores her penchant for concealing familial discord beneath a façade of order and control:

"Rachel walked back to the kitchen, with its neat bowl of shining apples on the long table, and the purring silver fridge" (ll. 13-14).

These lines underscore the mother's desire to convey an image of being in command and maintaining an impeccable exterior, even though this is far from the truth.