DIRECTIONS: Read the passage. Then, answer the questions that follow. All night long the couple argued. He said it was his right to plan the best future he could. But what about me? she asked. What about us? The university application, completed and signed, lay accusingly in the middle of the table.
At midnight, snow began to fall. Quiet and soft, the snow filled the street, crowned trees, and blanketed yards. As it fell, the argument wound down. His view of the future widened; her protests softened. At dawn, they held hands in front of the living room window, gazing at a transformed landscape.

1. What does the snow most likely symbolize?

2. What theme does the symbolism help express?