How does the author use symbolism in the novel, When All Is Said?

The author uses the gold coin as a physical symbol that represents a variety of different things including revenge, obsession, regret, love, and secrets. When Maurice picks up this coin after he sees Thomas drop it, he can only think that he is taking some revenge for the way he has been treated. When Noreen finds the coin, she is obsessed with it, like she is obsessed with shiny coins in general. The coin represents regret and secrets as well. Maurice learns that Thomas used his wife’s inheritance to buy one of the other six coins. Thomas’ wife divorced Thomas and threatened to sue the family. Emily admitted to Maurice that the family was in such debt because they had to borrow money to pay Thomas’ ex-wife. Hilary later tells Maurice a family secret, that Hugh did not disinherit Thomas just because of the coin. He disinherited Thomas because Thomas was not his biological son. Thomas was the biological son of Timothy. The coin represents love because Thomas spends the rest of his life looking for this coin, seeking it like he sought his father’s love.