# Appearance and Dress in Mary, Mary

> Theme guide for Mary, Mary by James Stephens.

Dress is a major motif, representing identity, aspiration, and social status; the mother's detailed rules on clothing and their shared fantasies about elaborate gowns serve as a means of expressing their souls and escaping their poverty.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/v): The chapter is entirely devoted to Mary's physical description and her mother's manipulation of her appearance to maintain an illusion of youth.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/viii): Mary's meticulous attention to her dress, hair, and necklace reflects her desire to present herself as grown-up and attractive.
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/x): Mary's distress over her short skirt and false hem underscores her preoccupation with how she is perceived.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xii): Mary carefully alters her skirt and styles her hair to look her best for the meeting.
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxii): Mary's careful dressing and the detailed shopping for Nora's Communion outfit highlight the importance of appearance.
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxvii): The chapter is dominated by detailed discussions of dress, fashion rules, and the symbolic importance of clothing for Mary and her mother.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/themes/appearance_and_dress
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/themes