One Day

The yin and yang tattoo that Dexter gets while in India is a symbol of his and Emma’s relationship. Yin and yang, Dexter himself explains, “means the perfect union of opposites” (71)—originating from Chinese philosophy, the principle of yin and yang describes the interconnectedness of opposing forces. These opposites “both attract and complement each other” (Cartwright, Mark. “Yin and Yang.” World History Encyclopedia, 16 May 2018). This idea is visually represented by a circle divided into two halves by a curved line, where one half of the circle is black with a white spot, representing yin, while the other half is white with a black spot, representing the yang.

Like Yin and Yang, Emma and Dexter are complete opposites: Emma is driven by idealism and wants to change the world through art, and Dexter is more grounded in material pursuits, seeking success and fame. This fundamental difference in their outlooks leads them to pursue two diverging life paths—Emma prioritizes making a meaningful impact on others, placing little importance on wealth and status, whereas Dexter thrives in the world of television and indulges in the luxuries and glamour it offers. In Chapter 13, the image of Emma driving a fourth-hand Panda and Dexter a Mazda sports car encapsulates these differences.