The symbolism of teenage escapades
The book introduces Tess as a 21-year-old woman who relocates to the Big Apple to experience life and make the best out of it. Tess finds a good job as a waitress, and the city life of immorality quickly consumes her. Tess does not see anything wrong with exploring her youthful years. When Tess meets Jake, they fall in love and start a relationship.
The symbolism of immorality
Tess’s adventures symbolize the rot in society that is often not talked about in public. When Tess relocates to the new town, she discovers that immorality is the order of the day. When working as a bartender, Tess realizes that she is lovable and every man wants her. Later, when Tess’s boyfriend goes on vacation, Tess becomes an alcoholic and offers sex to her boss for promotion at work. Favors are exchanged with sexual intercourse without any remorse. Therefore, Tess’s lifestyle in Big Apple symbolizes the advancing immorality in society.
The symbolism of protectiveness
Simone's character symbolizes protectiveness when she becomes envious of Tess's relationship with Jake. Simone is not a biological mother of Jake, but she raised him throughout his life. Firstly, Simone allows Jake to have a relationship with Tess without any problem. But as the relationship started blossoming, Simone felt that she is losing Jake to Tess and plans to escape with him on vacation in France. Tess is left stranded, and she ends up drinking alcohol and having sex with her box.
The symbol of the title 'Sweetbitter.'
The title of this book is symbolic because it represents coming of age. Tess is the primary character who starts discovering herself at the age of 21. However, her journey of discovery is not always sweet because as she grows, she learns through her own mistakes and bitter experiences. The reader fails to find the application of ethics in Tess's life, but the reality is that she is slowly maturing and becoming a better person because she is learning from her mistakes and bad choices in life.
The symbolism of waitressing
Waitressing is a symbol of the taste of New York's nightlife. While working as a waitress, Tess gets the first-hand experience of New Yolks nightlife, and she is excited because she adopts it very first. Initially, fellow employees and clients see Tess as a prude, but she gets into the system very first. In the end, Tess becomes immoral and an alcoholic because that is what the nightlife is all about.
