Chicago

Chicago is symbolic of Elizabeth and Jack’s vision for the future. Elizabeth wants to get far away from her controlling parents and wants to set down roots because she was forced to move frequently as a child. Jack wants to get away from his family, but he wants to do it in a way that feels familiar, and Chicago feels this way because of its ties to his sister. Chicago represents the beginning of life as they wish it for both Jack and Elizabeth.

Hydrogen Water

Hydrogen water represents the degree to which Benjamin has changed throughout the novel. As the brains behind the Foundry, he was highly concerned with authenticity in his younger day. He did not appreciate mainstream art culture because it was all about money, and he wanted art to be about more. Eventually, however, he gets involved in realty, and he...