11. What would not have been lost on Oates--what, that is, do the twin deformities symbolize?

[Kristel]

11. "It would not have been lost on [Oates] that Mercy Larkin's wedding finger was blown away, and that when Jack Maggs came to her side, the pair were finally matched in deformity" [p. 355]. What would not have been lost on Oates--what, that is, do the twin deformities symbolize?

[Diane]

It showed their connection, since they both lost the same finger. Still, he chose not to include her in his story.

[[deleted user]]

Is there a deeper message about their marriage which is a real marriage despite the ability to display it as a ring? Mercy was a pretend wife to Buckle and Maggs was a pretend husband to the Australian women.

[Patrick]

It meant that they were meant to be together, that they complete each other. I would like to correct Diane: Maggs had lost his second and third fingers (index and middle finger), while Mercy lost her ring finger.