Rachel had a challenging journey to transformation. As she shed her excess weight, she quickly became attractive, which changed her life in many ways. However, this newfound beauty came with its own set of complications and temptations.
Her lifestyle included smoking, drinking, and engaging in casual relationships, exposing her to an unpredictable and dangerous world. John Cheever highlights the deep and often unfathomable consequences that accompany the allure of beauty, especially for someone like Rachel, who battles with both her attractiveness and intemperate choices.