Petrified Man

Because Leota and Mrs. Fletcher’s conversations take place in Leota’s salon booth during an appointment, the women speak to each other while facing the mirror. Instead of conversing directly, the women speak to each other’s reflections. This indirect way of speaking epitomizes the gossip they share: Instead of confirming news about others in their community directly or hearing it directly from the source, the women of this town pass on information through circuitous hearsay.

The mirror also serves as a symbol of truth and the choice the characters have—to look away or disregard it. For these characters, appearance is paramount for maintaining their status in town, and cultivating that appearance is essential. However, their outward appearance is not an accurate representation of their personalities. Leota and Mrs. Fletcher regularly face themselves in front of this mirror, which literally reflects their spiteful behavior back at them, but instead of recognizing their inner flaws, they choose to only give attention to their physical appearance.

Exhibitions that displayed people with unusual biological features or disabilities were popular in the US and Europe through the mid-20th century, and crowds paid money to witness these exploited abnormalities.