The Compass

The broken compass on Zanzuri’s knife represents Zanzuri’s lack of morals. One’s set of moral standards is often referred to as a moral compass, so the fact that Zanzuri’s compass is broken complements the fact that Zanzuri has no problem with immoral activities and thoughts. Furthermore, Stein steals the knife and compass at the end of the story, potentially to kill Zanzuri, which may be viewed as either moral redemption or moral degradation on Stein's part.

The Patrol Jeep

The regiment’s patrol jeep symbolizes the predatory nature of the regiment. The driver causes the jeep to “lunge” (78) at the old Arab man on the sidewalk. This is reminiscent of a predatory animal hunting its prey. Therefore, the jeep attributes a predatory role to the Border Police regiment.

Russki's Bad Breath

Russki’s bad breath represents the negative aspects of his...