Both members of the couple are pretty innocent. The wife is worried about consummating the marriage and is apparently a virgin—the classical form of "innocence." The husband might be a virgin too, but it's actually a little unclear. The husband calls his wife a "baby lamb" a couple times—which is a term of endearment (though potentially a condescending one) and a way of saying someone is extremely innocent.
Also, some of the imagery at the beginning—referring to screen doors that don't rust and codfish without bones—might be meant to invoke something that's innocent or pure, but in a way that seems a little unnatural or weird. Experience isn't meant to be a bad thing. It's natural… unlike a creepy boneless fish.
Questions About Innocence
- How do the husband and wife display their innocence?
- What's your personal definition of "innocence"? Is it always a good thing?
- Do you think that the husband and wife will remain "innocent"—a better and more accurate term might be "naïve"—even after they consummate their marriage? If so, in what ways? In other words, will they ever become wise to the ways of the world?
Chew on This
Innocence is a state of mind.
Innocence has more to do with your actions than with a state of mind.