The Mustard Symbol in Say You'll Remember Me

What the Mustard Symbol Is

In Say You'll Remember Me, the concrete object mustard refers first to a specific household brand—French’s mustard in Xavier’s fridge—and then to the boutique Murkle’s Mustard that Samantha manages on social media. On a literal level, mustard is a condiment. But as a recurring motif, it becomes a private code between the two protagonists. Xavier uses the idea of mustard to express his deepest emotional need: that Samantha see him with the same unguarded delight she shows for her favorite condiment. The symbol first appears near the end of their first date and evolves into a shorthand for genuine, joyful attention.

Where Mustard Recurs

The mustard motif appears in several key scenes, each building on the last:

Scene	Chapter	What Happens
First date, Xavier’s apartment	5 (Xavier)	Samantha notes Xavier has only French’s mustard. He replies, “I’ll do better next time,” already calibrating his future gestures to her preferences.
The escape room	7 (Xavier)	While trapped, they discuss her job making mustard interesting. Samantha explains how hard it is. Xavier listens closely.
Instagram stalking	5 (Xavier), 12 (Xavier)	Xavier follows the Murkle’s Mustard account and checks it “half a dozen times a day,” hoping to see her posts.
Xavier replaces the mustard	25 (Samantha)	Samantha finds that Xavier has replaced his French’s with Murkle’s, a concrete sign of loyalty and care.
“Look at me the way you look at mustard”	30 (Samantha)	Xavier tells Samantha he wants her to look at him the way she looks at mustard. This is the symbol’s emotional climax.
Samantha looks at him that way	35 (Xavier)	Xavier vows to become the man who deserves that look, cementing mustard as a measure of his self-worth.
The worm hypothetical	32 (Samantha)	Xavier says he would keep a bottle of Murkle’s for her to see from her flowerpot, reinforcing that mustard equals her purest happiness.
Anniversary playlist	50	The playlist includes “Come On Eileen,” the song from the escape room where the mustard conversation deepened.

The symbol also lives online: Xavier checks her Instagram, and the Murkle’s caption with “Mustard doesn’t ask silly questions” echoes their dynamic.

How the Meaning Changes

Initially, mustard is an offhand observation. Samantha notices French’s in Xavier’s fridge, and he apologizes—a small, charming detail. Soon, it becomes a window into her passion: she loves her work, and Xavier follows Murkle’s to stay connected to that side of her. When he replaces the brand, the gesture signifies that he has listened and adjusted his life to accommodate her.

The meaning deepens in the “look at me the way you look at mustard” scene. Xavier uses the symbol to name his longing for her uncensored joy. She responds with laughter and a kiss, confirming the connection. Later, when she gives him that exact look, he internalizes it as proof of his worthiness. Mustard transforms from a running joke into a private language for mutual adoration. By the end, the motif represents not just romantic love but the specific kind of attention that makes vulnerability safe.

Character and Theme Connections

Xavier Rush is a guarded, overworked veterinarian. The mustard symbol reveals his hunger for acceptance. He craves Samantha’s unfiltered delight because he has rarely received unconditional affection (his parents are cold and narcissistic). Mustard becomes a surrogate for emotional intimacy: he cannot ask for her love directly, so he asks for her mustard-look.

Samantha Diaz is a social media manager who finds joy in small things. Her work on Murkle’s Mustard reflects her optimism and creativity. She uses humor to cope with her mother’s dementia and the strain of caregiving. Mustard is her genuine enthusiasm made visible—and Xavier wants that enthusiasm directed at him.

Themes reinforce the symbol:

Long-distance relationships – The mustard joke persists across time zones. Xavier checks Instagram when they are apart, and the replacement of French’s becomes a tangible proof of his commitment.
Sacrifice and duty – Xavier works extra shifts to afford visits; Samantha cares for her mother. The mustard symbol offers a brief escape from their obligations, a lighthearted shorthand for why they endure the distance.
Memory and identity – For Samantha, mustard represents her professional identity and personal spark. Xavier’s recognition of that identity helps her feel seen.
Found family – Xavier’s friends tease him about mustard, integrating it into their group dynamic. Samantha’s family never understands the joke, highlighting that mustard belongs to their private world.

Study Questions

Why does Xavier initially follow the Murkle’s Mustard Instagram account?
He wants to stay connected to Samantha after their first date. He is drawn to her humor and passion, and the account becomes a way to feel close to her without intruding.
How does the meaning of the mustard symbol shift from the first date to the “look at me” scene?
It begins as a casual observation about his fridge. Through his Instagram following and the replacement of French’s with Murkle’s, it becomes an act of care. In chapter 30, Xavier explicitly connects it to his desire for her unfiltered affection, making the symbol a declaration of emotional need.
In the worm hypothetical, what does Xavier’s promise to keep Murkle’s near Samantha’s pot reveal about his character?
It shows his willingness to adapt to her needs, even in absurd scenarios. He values her happiness so much that he would preserve the symbol of her joy—mustard—as a way to keep her connected to herself, even if she becomes a worm.
How does the mustardsymbol reflect the theme of long-distance love in the novel?
Mustard provides a constant thread of closeness across miles. Xavier checks her social media posts, and the physical replacement of brands acts as a gift that bridges distance. The inside joke persists through phone calls and visits, reminding them of the playful intimacy they share despite the geographical gap.