Gambling

Gambling is symbolic of the vices available to men living in Harlem. There are goals and desires that these men pursue, but it is constantly at war with the temptation of sin. In addition to gambling, there is infidelity, drinking alcohol, and loafing the time away. Although some characters, like Muttsy, profit off of this behavior, other characters deem it immoral and unworthy of respect. The men who travel to Harlem to fulfill their vices find that this does not sustain them for long. Despite this, gambling represents the ultimate test of male self-control. Its temptation threatens the honorable commitment they made to their wives to remain free from immoral behavior.

Axe

The axe makes an appearance in a few stories, but usually in the context of women to symbolize their capability of defending themselves and their conviction to do so. Tied to their domestic sphere...