Sorting Laundry

Elisavietta Ritche's "Sorting Laundry" describes the private details of a couple's relationship. It is through the speaker's use of symbolism that the reader absorbs information about the couple. Each article of cloth the speaker folds in some way symbolizes the relationship, in both small and meaningful ways. For example, she uses the pillowcases to symbolize the length and durability of the relationship. Like the pillowcases, which have stayed strong at the seams despite many washings, this relationship must have lasted through many tribulations throughout time. Another example is the pockets, which the speaker describes as containing "surprises: forgotten matches, lost skrews clinking in the drain..." (Ritche). This describes the variety in the relationship. Although their surprises towards each other may have declined as they became more familiar, they still astound one another is small but significant ways. It is not until the speaker reaches the shirt from a former lover that the reader detects any sign of strife in the relationship. This shirt symbolizes a possible end to the relationship, due to an outside party, and strikes fear into the speaker.