and at the end of the story he returns to the scenes of his childhood.
Though she resists the idea, Brenda finally accedes to Neil's request to get a
diaphragm. She seems to do this both because she wants to be independent, but
also because she is affected by Ron's upcoming marriage and begins to want the
same thing for herself. For example, she acquires a new dress which makes her
look as attractive as the bride, or even more so. Deep down, it seems, Brenda does
not mind seeing herself in the role of Ron's Harriet, a lovely bride with a successful
husband, being led to the altar on her father's arm and being protected and adored
by her mother. But for the time being she carries on with Neil Klugman and goes
to New York with him to obtain the diaphragm. For Neil, however, this turn of
events is very serious and fraught with consequences.
She has a strong hold on the men in her life, she represents what men want, but will never have. Neil has Brenda, but not really because she is able to control every aspect of their relationship. She is a representation of the theme of money and power. Even though Neil is in love with Brenda he still sees her as a way to gain a better life for himself. While he is at her house he is always taking advantage of the fact that they have nicer things and that they always have a full refrigerator of fresh fruit. The fruit itself is exotic and represents something wealthy people have, his family can not afford to have the fruit, therefore he eats an abundant amount while he is at the Patimkins, and he even takes some and hides it in his pocket. For all of these characters the story does not end happily. Neil turns out to have another agenda for going out with Brenda. He knew that marrying into her family would give him a higher status in life