What might the plasticine gargoyle symbolize?

A gargoyle is a creature that is supposed to protect buildings like churches from evil. The gargoyle was made to protect the narrator from ever feeling anything again. The gargoyle takes this literally and the narrator experiences a life without joy, love and other emotions. Instead, he focuses on work. The gargoyle therefore symbolizes his hardened heart. He has closed his heart off from the world after being hurt by Becky. He is determined not to care about anyone or anything again, so lives only for his work. This is not a good life, represented by the gargoyle's ugly and monstrous appearance. Later, when the narrator shows signs of feeling something for Becky again, the gargoyle emerges and gets rid of the problem. This symbolizes the fact that his hardened heart will not trust Becky again or let him fall for her. Instead, he tries to stay safe by not feeling anything at all and removing her from his life.