The Girl Before

The “pristine blankness” (51) of One Folgate Street features significantly in the plot of The Girl Before. Each of the characters interacts differently with the emotions that such an empty space elicits. Jane appreciates “how sensual less could be” (52), and, early on, Emma begins thinking that by ditching her “useless stuff” (82) to live at One Folgate Street, she could also ditch her relationship with Simon. Later, Carol references having a clean slate, which is reminiscent of the cool stone interior of One Folgate Street. The house, to some extent, represents a blank slate for a person to develop on or in, as they try to recover from trauma.

Early on in his relationship with each woman, Edward gives them an expensive pearl necklace. Both Jane and Emma describe receiving the necklace with joy and awe. Jane describes the unusual “pale cream” color and “opalescent shimmer deep in the nacre” (117) while Emma explains that she’s “always wanted a pearl choker […] and here it is” (121). The necklace is described as being like a “collar” (121) and “tight” (118) so that Jane first feels “strangled by the lack of give” (118). Jane also describes that the color itself mirrors the color of the walls at One Folgate Street.