What kind of symbols are in "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses" by Irwin Shaw?

In Irwin Shaw's short story, "The Girls in Their Summer
Dresses," there are several uses of symbolism.

First, as
the story progresses, we learn that Frances is desperate to keep her husband close, even
as she senses him moving away—as he watches every attractive woman they pass. Frances
announces that she wants to keep Michael to herself for the day, but this is simply
symptomatic of a deeper concern. The image of a "rope" symbolizes how Frances needs to
feel connected to Michael—even to hold him against his
will:

"Also, I
slept all night, wound around you like a
rope."

The fact that Michael
is gaining weight may be symbolic of a deeper change, a movement toward a more
self-centered lifestyle that comes from indulging his whims, and does not include
Frances. However, Michael's response when she notes that he is "getting fat" and she
loves it, seems to indicate that he resents her "worship" of him: a lack of self-respect
on her part whereby she will take whatever he dishes out (to a point) and be happy for
it.

"I love
it," she said, "an extra five pounds of husband."

"I love
it, too," Michael said
gravely.

Michael does not
seem to appreciate this "devotion," perhaps feeling the challenge of wooing and winning
his wife's affection (after five years) has left him feeling unfulfilled. If so, the
challenge of gaining the attention of other women may appeal. Michael has obviously put
a lot of thought into his constant "oggling" of
women:

"...the
handsomest women, out to spend money and feeling good about it, looking coldly at you,
making believe they're not looking at you as you go
past."

The summer dresses
that Michael refers to (as this husband and wife walk in November) may "represent
freshness, youth, and vitality," while reminding Michael of his approach to middle age,
and a sense of loss he may experience in that women don't respond to him in the way they
did when he was younger.

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As with other stories by Irwin Shaw, this one
touches on the theme of lost or disappearing
youth.

Michael may be caught
up in the past—when he was part of the game he witnesses all around
as they move along. In not feeling as connected to that part of his life, Michael
watches women and "wants" them, doing so in the presence of his wife—showing how little
regard he has for her feelings, and how strong his desire is to please
himself.