The quote from Joyce Carol Oates's "We Were the Mulvaneys" metaphorically depicts the shedding of emotional or psychological burdens. It suggests a moment of liberation, where the character discards an overcoat that once provided comfort and protection, symbolizing the release from past weight or pain. This act of shedding indicates a transformation, reflecting a newfound freedom from what once constrained them, emphasizing the character's growth and readiness to move forward in...