Dreams
The author figuratively uses dreams to represent the unrealities of life. Fain is a reporter, and she excels in a career, but her expectations and dreams are not met. According to Fain, what you see in a dream is unrealistic no matter how you chase it. Fain says, "You've caught the rhythm of them once and for all, in your sleep at night. The city, of course, can wreck it. So much insomnia. So many rhythms collide." Fain reflects on what she sees while asleep and tries to practice it but in vain.
The Rat
The rat represents Fain's misfortunes that have made her not attain satisfaction. At some point, Fain sees that her happiness is across the corner, but when she approaches, it vanishes! The author writes, “A large rat crossed my path last night on Fifty-seventh Street. It came out from under a wooded fence at a vacant lot near Bendel’s, paused for traffic, and then streaked across the up-town sidewalk, sat awhile in the dark, and vanished.” The rat signifies that Fain knows what she wants, but the struggle and journey to attain her satisfaction are endless because it keeps on vanishing.
Death and the young politician
The conversation between the politician and the priest is about death. According to the young politician, people will not die because that is where his interest lies. However, the priest reminds the politician that everyone will die when the time approaches. Therefore, death symbolizes the vanity of life because no matter how you accumulate wealth, everything shall be left behind. The priest says, "They will all die; there is no one of them under seventy-six. You'll see. Your time will come." The young politician represents people who think they are immortal, which is why he is in denial that death is not real.
Jean Fain
Fain starts her story by taking readers back to her life history and career path. Fain is a journalist, and she has done her work in different cities, but she is still looking for satisfaction. Throughout the book, Fain is not satisfied with what she does. The reader asks, did Fain choose the wrong career? Consequently, Fain represents life's journey to discover own self-worth and satisfaction. The book comes to an end without revealing whether Fain became satisfied besides being successful in her career.
Doberman Pinschers
Dogs are intelligent creatures that are friendly and protective when well taken care of. Consequently, the author uses Doberman Pinschers to represent friendliness. The author writes, “In the matter of Doberman Pinschers, I like dogs that are large and hairy and friendly and sleep a lot, with sad eyes behind the hair.” Fain recalls her neighbor’s dog as she was growing up and what she sees is approachability.
