1. The House: The dilapidated, rambling house itself symbolizes the family's decaying moral state and their descent into madness. Its disarray and strange layout reflect the chaotic and twisted nature of their lives.
2. The Basement: The basement, where the bodies are kept, represents the family's hidden secrets and the dark underbelly of their actions. It also symbolizes the repressed emotions and anxieties that they attempt to bury.
3. The Arsenic: The arsenic, the primary tool used by the aunts to dispose of their victims, symbolizes their deadly compassion and twisted sense of morality. It represents their misguided attempts to "help" people by ridding them of their problems, even if it means killing them.
4. The Old Lace: The old lace, worn by the aunts and decorating the house, represents the family's clinging to the past and their refusal to adapt to modern society. It also symbolizes the fragility and decay of their world.
5. The Teddy Roosevelt Bust: The bust of Teddy Roosevelt, placed in the living room, symbolizes the family's misguided patriotism and their belief in antiquated values. It represents their inability to see the world as it truly is and their blind adherence to their own twisted reality.
6. The "Mortimer's" Papers: The papers Mortimer (the nephew) desperately tries to publish represent his longing for recognition and success. They symbolize his desire to escape the family's madness and create a life of his own.
7. The "Wedding Bells": The recurring mention of wedding bells symbolizes the aunts' obsession with creating a happy ending for their victims, even if it means ending their lives prematurely. It also represents their distorted perception of love and marriage.
8. The Bird Cage: The bird cage, often mentioned by Mortimer, symbolizes his feeling of entrapment within the family's madness. It represents his desperate desire to break free from their clutches and find his own path.
These are just a few of the many symbols present in "Arsenic and Old Lace." The play's rich symbolism contributes to its enduring popularity and allows for multiple interpretations of the story. It allows the audience to engage with the themes of family, madness, morality, and the search for identity in a complex and humorous way.