Lies and Weddings

Two volcanic fissures open up on Arabella’s hotel property in Hawaii, disrupting the plans for Augusta’s wedding and forcing the wedding reception to come to an early end. The volcanic fissures expel subterranean magma (molten rock) that symbolizes the moment when repressed emotions such as resentment, anger, and forbidden love suddenly burst forth and ruin Arabella’s intricate but superficial plans for her children’s future. The two fissures appear in key moments when hidden emotions are finally revealed. In one comic scene, Augusta is being coached to unleash her anger at her mother when the fissure suddenly opens nearby. In the second instance, news of a nearby fissure is announced immediately after Rufus declares his romantic feelings for Eden. The violent expulsions of molten lava are therefore designed to act as a physical manifestation of the suppressed tensions within the family.

Because volcanic fissures are dangerous, they symbolize the idea that repressed emotions can cause more problems than ones that are readily shared. The anger and resentment that Augusta feels toward her domineering mother causes greater tension because Augusta tries to conceal these feelings until they erupt. Likewise, Rufus’s abrupt confession of love startles Eden and causes problems within the Gresham family.