What is an example of symbolism in the novel, Small Things Like These?

The convent serves as a clear symbol of the deviousness and perversity of systemic abuse. The convent in New Ross sits on a hill above the town; the grounds exude power, religious authority, and a cold elegance. As the novella progresses, Furlong grows to appreciate the ways in which this appearance is a simple facade. The impressive exterior of the convent—as well as its standing in the local community—masks the abuse and violence that takes place within. The convent thus epitomizes the perverse dynamics of systemic abuse: like many structures of power, the Church (and, specifically, the convent) perpetrates abuse because it is able to claim some veneer of authority, respectability, and righteousness.