E-mails

Yunior’s e-mails symbolize his habit of infidelity. At the beginning of the story, when Yunior’s fiancée looks through his e-mails, she finds that he has been frequently unfaithful to her over the course of their six-year relationship. Yunior resolves to break this habit of infidelity. Even after the fiancée ends their relationship, Yunior resolves to be faithful to whomever he dates.

Running and Yoga

Running and yoga symbolize the desire for self-improvement. In the years after his fiancée leaves him, Yunior searches for ways to improve his mood and his physical health. He first becomes obsessed with running, but increasing pain in his foot eventually forces him to take up yoga instead.

Plantar Fasciitis and Stenosis

Plantar fasciitis and stenosis symbolize unforeseeable adversity. After Yunior takes up running to improve his mental and physical health, he eventually develops plantar fasciitis in...