The war monument can symbolize several things in the story. First, it contrasts with the public gardens. Gardens are often symbolic of new life. The war monument reminds people of death. These two symbols are juxtaposed in the story because they serve as a metaphor for the marriage of George and his wife. She wants a baby and new life in their marriage. George, on the other hand, is content with things as they are, even though his marriage seems to be dying. Neither his wife nor George really communicate during the story and the fact that the wife finally gets a cat from the innkeeper suggests she will have to have her needs met by someone else than George. Thus, the war monument is a symbol for the war between George and his wife and the possibility the marriage will eventually die.