Symbolism of Goldwater Sticker

The Goldwater sticker represents the pro-war stance. It is a symbol in the story “Hearts in Atlantis.” Goldwater, a Republican and pro-war Presidential candidate, ran against Johnson who hoped to deescalate the war. Johnson won, but the war continued. Pete drives to college in a station wagon with this Goldwater sticker on the bumper because his family has supported Republicans for years. After Pete met Carol and began to learn about the damage being done by the war, he asked her to help him peel the Goldwater sticker from his car. This demonstrates Pete’s new attitude toward politics as he begins to learn for himself what is happening in the war.