The news symbolizes secrecy, mystery, and the differences between appearances and reality. The family often watches the news until Jenna becomes afraid and Millicent bans it. Although the narrator thought he was committing murders “with” his wife, the news is full of information that surprises him, illustrating the degree of secrecy that exists in their marriage. For instance, the narrator finds out from the news that Millicent kept Lindsay alive for months to torture her, that she has killed three extra women in addition to Naomi and Lindsay, and that the real Owen is already dead. Although the news provides the narrator with new information, which is helpful, the news cannot provide all the answers he needs, just like it does not provide Jenna with the answers she needs. Instead, the news creates more questions than it answers, until the mysteries are finally solved at the end.

The news also illustrates secrecy because newscasters, such as Josh, are not allowed to share all the information they know. They are required to withhold certain facts from viewers until the police decide it is the right time to share information. Information is controlled and gradually released in a constructed intentional

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now