Athena Home

Zuckerman’s home in Athena symbolizes isolation and reclusiveness. Zuckerman moves to Athena to anonymous, anti-Semitic death threats he had begun to receive in the mail. However, his protected life in Athena becomes quite lonely and isolated. Zuckerman’s return to New York City is motivated in part by a reawakened sensitivity to the pain of isolation and the need for human contact.

Election

In the novel, the 2004 U.S. presidential election symbolizes the intersection between personal life and political life. Zuckerman, Jamie, Billy, and Kliman are all devastated when George Bush is reelected, and they show personal disdain for Americans who voted for Bush. On the other hand, the political unity between these four characters is unable to override the personal friction that arises between them.

Impotence and Incontinence

Zuckerman’s bladder incontinence and sexual impotence symbolize the pain and tribulations of old age...