Again we see a hint of Therese's disregard for societal norms. She wants to hold hands with Carol in public, but Carol won't let her. Therese also doesn't really try, so she only thinks about rebelling but doesn't actually do it.

This is probably the strongest word speaking out against same-sex people in the book. How have attitudes changed since 1950, and in what ways are they the same? Which parts of society still believe that same-sex relationships are an "abomination"?

Once again, we see Carol's conformity. She makes a point, in that she has to live in the world as a wife and as a mother. But once she loses those two roles at the end, she can live in society however she sees fit.