Money

Over the course of the novel, the author uses repeated references to money in order to explore the ways in which the American citizen's finances dictate his well being. The author establishes money as a motif directly through his narrative structure. Instead of labeling the chapters with conventional titles, the author titles the chapters using dollar amounts. As these monetary increments either increase or decrease, the narrative tension amplifies. The repeated allusions to how much money Henry is making or has spent or lost also inspire varying emotional responses from the main character. When Henry has more money, he feels independent and empowered. When he has less money, he feels helpless and weak.

Therefore, the symbolic significance of money vacillates and evolves in each chapter of the novel. At the novel's start, Henry's dearth of money symbolizes his desperation. However, the things he decides to buy...