Hope House
This is the orphanage run by Hong Tae-hee visited and financially supported by Mom. It represents andmanifests the secret aspects of her life that her family knows little, if nothing, about.
Nickel Basin
The basin is a gift from Mom's beloved Kyun and as such is a representation of the kind of devoted love that he gave to her in ways that her biological children did not display. It is also the catalyst for Mom's meeting with Eun-gyu, the "other man" who comes to play such an important role in her secret life.
Mom's Mink Coat
This expensive article of clothing is purchased for Mom by her youngest daughter who recognizes the comfort the coat offers and the urgency with which Mom seeks that comfort. Ironically, Mom is inspired to want the coat after seeing a similar coat while attending church, the rituals there not offering nearly as much comfort as the material goods that faith in the church are supposed to eschew, resist, or deny.
Vatican
The Vatican in Rome is the seat of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. It is regarded by the world as a country in and of itself, separate from Italy but contained entirely within its boundaries. This makes it the world's smallest country, the place from which Mom asks Chi-hon to bring a rosewood rosary.
Pieta
The Pieta is the term used for both a particular artistic subject and one of the most famous representations of that subject in the world. The thematic focus of both subject and statue is a mother's grief over the death of her child. When Chi-hon visits the Pieta in the Epilogue, she has a profound emotional and spiritual experience which is defined by the sudden awareness that Mom was profoundly affected by the "death" of her relationships with her children. Those relationships the narrative suggests, in turn, defined her living her life for them.
Persimmon Tree
Chi-hon's sister refers to a seedling persimmon tree given to her by Mom in the hopes that it would eventually bear fruit. The tree, according to Sister, managed to survive in spite of being seriously neglected. It's now, she adds, being moved to a more advantaged location where, she hopes, it will finally yield a harvest.