Alcohol

Alcohol in the novel symbolize the deleterious and pernicious nature of addiction. Throughout the story, Don’s actions and thoughts almost always serve the goal of acquiring and imbibing alcohol. The novel demonstrates how Don’s addiction creates various delusional states that further enable the feeding of Don’s addiction, thereby creating a vicious cycle of drinking and addiction.

Literature

Don’s literary aspirations symbolize the destructive nature of insecurity and alcoholism. Don loves literature, and he aspires to being a writer. However, his insecurity and his alcoholism consistently prevent him from ever actually writing. His alcoholism is thereby destructive to his professional and creative goals (as well as every other aspect of his life).

Mac

Mac (Don’s pet dog) symbolizes Don’s lack of personal control and responsibility. At the beginning of the book, when Wick goes upstate, he takes Mac with him. Wick...