Mr. Wrong Number

The mattress that Colin gives to Olivia symbolizes their romantic connection. When Olivia is staying with Colin and Jack, she sleeps on an air mattress in Colin’s office. The uncomfortable air mattress represents Olivia’s recent difficulties and personal challenges. Colin buys Olivia the new mattress for her loft apartment—a signal of his care for her and his investment in her well-being. The mattress, an intimate gift, indicates their growing romantic connection. As one of the first pieces of furniture in the apartment, it helps Olivia to feel more settled in the space. Colin knows that she’s still adjusting to being on her own and hopes that the mattress gift will afford her some comfort and peace. After a fight with Colin, Olivia tries to throw the mattress down the stairs in an attempt to negate Colin’s feelings for her.

The Oh, Olivia! column at Feminine Rage represents the culmination of Olivia’s arc toward confidence and self-acceptance. Shortly after Olivia loses her job at the Times, Feminine Rage hires her to write their advice column. The column, formerly known as Ask Abbie, “was super popular because Abbie was kind of bitchy, but also hilarious and good with the advice” (267). Elena Wrigley sees Olivia as an ideal replacement for Abbie because Olivia’s work proves that she’s witty, intelligent, and empathetic. Through the column, Elena explains, they will “be capitalizing on who [Olivia is], adding her own ridiculous anecdotes into the column” (268). Writing a column named for her represents the antithesis of her work on 402 Mom, which requires her to misrepresent herself and pretend to be someone she is not. Oh, Olivia! gives Olivia a place to “embrac[e] [her] bad luck” and to use her experiences to help others (268). The job at Feminine Rage offers Olivia a more defined, grounded sense of self that supports the personal growth she’s achieved.

Images, descriptions, and scenes of running repeat as a motif throughout the novel symbolizing progress and growth. When Olivia decides that she’s going to change her life, she adopts a new early-morning running routine. Olivia often doesn’t feel like getting up before dawn to exercise, but she doesn’t falter in her commitment. Over time, running makes her feel strong and capable and reaffirms her sense of self. Colin also uses running as a way to achieve internal balance. When he’s running, he finds mental and emotional clarity that aids him in The Challenge of Balancing Personal and Professional Goals.