Razors

The razors the girl delivers to Dr. von Leinsdorf's apartment symbolize pain. While the razors are literally meant for shaving, they both initiate the characters' relationship and foreshadow the coming devastation the characters' face on behalf of it. After the girl brings the man the razors, their complicated working and sexual dynamic becomes increasingly risky and dangerous.

Atlantis

Dr. von Leinsdorf's apartment building, called Atlantis, symbolizes an illusory utopia. While in the apartment together, Dr. von Leinsdorf and the girl are able to interact outside of their society's rigid laws of racial segregation. Despite the seeming peace and safety the apartment affords the characters, their relationship is not secret, as the apartment caretaker is watching them throughout, and ultimately reports them to the police.

Coffee

The author uses Dr. von Leinsdorf's coffee to symbolize superiority. When the girl first remarks upon his particular way of grinding...