Both Jackie and Simon use the analogy of the sun and the moon to explain Simon’s marriage to Linnet. Glamorous, glorious Linnet is like the sun (blinding, powerful, blotting out everything else in the sky) while the humbler Jackie is like the moon (smaller, not as impressive, disappears when the sun is in the sky). Thus, when Simon became acquainted with Linnet, Jackie “disappeared” for him.

The analogy works on other levels, as well. The sun represents daylight and associated things: clarity, straightforwardness, masculinity. Linnet has negative traits, but subterfuge and deceit are not among them. She is honest, straightforward, generous, and rather oblivious to others. Additionally, she has some masculine attributes: Simon views her as a possessive and emasculating woman, and she is described as having a uniquely unwomanly business sensibility.

The moon, on the other hand, is associated with the night, the feminine, the occult, and the emotions. Jackie is someone who makes secret plans which are executed during the night. Although she is capable of clear-sighted reasoning, Jackie is also prone to dark, overwhelming emotions; she is also presented as feminine, since Simon implies that he feels as if he possesses Jackie rather than the other way around.