The La Parure illustration uses direction of lines, contrasting colors, and various textures throughout the illustration depict the differences in the husband and wife's attitudes towards their modest lifestyle. 

Lines connect two points and are used to direct attention to certain areas. The lines that create the walls and floors in the background are angled to direct the viewer's attention to the lady at the left side of the illustration. The lady's perfect posture is depicted by the alignment of her neck, arm, and back to the straight lines that create the frame of the mirror. Her long sleeve gown flows from her hips to the floor and contrast her impeccable posture. The skirt of the gown is outlined by curved lines and filled with paired lines of different directions. The ordered chaos formed by the paired lines and train of the gown visually creates an overall elegant appearance of the lady.  As the lady practices her appearance in the tall mirror, her sense of entitlement to a wealthier lifestyle is evident. In contrast, several lines creating the background are streaked through the husband. The lines cross out the husband in a similar manner to how the less fortunate were in this time period. As the husband sits crouched over putting on his shoes, his arm visually creates a vertical line. While his right arm reaches for a boot on the ground, the left arm aids in sliding on the other shoe. The husband's multitasking and boots symbolize his hard work and comfort. The lines in the illustration depict the characters attitude towards their modest lifestyle.

Color and contrast creates emphasis to parts of an illustration. The walls in the background are a very light shade of grey in the upper right hand corner and transition to a very dark grey towards the left side of the illustration. The contrast of charcoal grey walls next to the lady's slate white gown guides the viewer's eye to the left side of the image. She holds a lamp with a pale rose pink shade in her right hand, which matches the rose pink chair appearing slightly to the right of the center of the illustration.  Pale pink symbolizes grace, elegance, and admiration. This symbolism represents the lady's attitude of her entitlement.  The husband's black suit contrasts the rose pink chair he is sitting in. The contrast of his white long sleeve shirt against the pale pink color of the chair visually creates a vertical line with his arm. While his right arm reaches for a boot on the ground, the left arm aids in sliding on the other shoe. The husband's multitasking and boots symbolize that he is a hard worker. 

The direction of lines, contrasting colors, and various textures throughout the illustration depict the differences in the husband and wife's attitudes towards their modest lifestyle. 

