The Imagery of the Mark’s Mother’s Stiffness (“Tapka”)
When Tapka is released from quarantine and brought home, Mark recalls, “Everyone delighted in Tapka’s antics except for my mother, who sat stiffly in her chair, her feet slightly off the ground, as though preparing herself for a mild electric shock.” The imagery in this passage foreshadows the overwrought relationship between the narrator’s mother and the Nahumovyskys ; the tension is credited to the dog. Clearly, the Mark’s mother does not like Tapka her she makes her disparagement palpable from the first time she sees her.
The Imagery of Mark and Jana playing with Tapka (“Tapka”)
Based on Mark's recollections, Mark, Jana and Tapka are compatible and cooperative play partners. Mark writes, “ Free of Rita’s scrutiny, we also satisfied certain anatomical curiosities. We examined Tapka’s ears, her paws, her teeth, the roots of her fur, and her doggy genitals. We poked and prodded her, we threw her up in the air, rolled her over and over, and swung her by her front legs. I felt such overwhelming love for Tapka that sometimes when hugging her, I had to restrain myself from squeezing too hard and crushing her little bones.” The play bouts are dominated by collaboration which results in mutual pleasure for all the parties. Tapka’s easiness, which is gives Jana and Tapka blanche to analyze her body, denotes that she delights in the play sessions too. The awe-inspiring plays fortify the connection between Tapka and Mark.
The Imagery of Flyers (“Roman Berman, Massage Therapist”)
The flyers are emblazoned with messages such as: “Best New Therapeutic Massage Office!; Roman Berman, Soviet Olympic coach and refugee from Communist regime, provides Quality Therapeutic Massage Service!; Many years of experience in Special European techniques!.” The messages produced on the flyers appeal to Roman’s familiarity with the massage industry which is intended to make the customer cognizant of Roman’s ethos. Furthermore, the insertion of words such as “ refugee from Communist regime” appeals to the Pathos of the customers.
The Imagery of Roman Berman massaging Rhonda (“Roman Berman, Massage Therapist”)
The narrator recollects about a disconcerting encounter while at Kornblum’s. The narrator remembers, “Rhonda was sitting on a stool in front of the mirror, her blouse was undone and gathered at her waist. She was leaning forward on the bathroom counter in her bra and my father was massaging her neck.” This portrayal must be mortifying for a boy of the narrator’s age because he sees a stark-naked woman with his father. The discomfiture prods the narrator to retreat from the scene. If the narrator were not chagrined he would not have clarified the motive for his presence to Rhonda and his father.
