A war government meeting
A war government meeting symbolizes the top secrecy in government institutions. Richard Elster is invited into a war government meeting to discuss how he can introduce solid strategies for initiation and maintaining wars. Consequently, the reader learns that most government dealings are top-secret, and the common citizens are kept in the dark when the government introduces conflicts for its benefit.
Jessie’s symbolism
Richard Elster symbolizes betrayal because he starts giving hints about the war in his writings. In the secret meeting with the government, Elster is reminded that his role is initiating wars and maintaining them. More importantly, Elster is reminded that he must not share the meeting's purpose with anybody whatsoever. However, Elster later starts giving hints about the war to his readers through his writings.
The symbol of art
DeLillo's literary work uses art to symbolize life. According to the author, life is an art. For instance, Jim joins Elster in the desert, intending to document his secret life in the film, an art itself. According to Jim, Elster's life is a piece of art that the whole world must know through film documentation.
Jim Stanley as an emblem of opportunism
Jim Stanley is a film documenter, and his primary goal of joining Elster in the desert is to produce his life as an art. The reader learns that Jim is not interested to learn about the older man's suffering because his primary goal is to produce a film about his life. Therefore, Jim is an opportunity who values his gains over the sufferings of others.
The symbol of betrayal
Richard Elster symbolizes betrayal because he starts giving hints about the war in his writings. In the secret meeting with the government, Elster is reminded that his role is initiating wars and maintaining them. More importantly, Elster is reminded that he must not share the meeting's purpose with anybody whatsoever. However, Elster later starts giving hints about the war to his readers through his writings.
