The Great Gaddafi Bridge
The Great Gaddafi Bridge is a symbol of contempt. The Turkish company constructed the bridge. However, the government is unwilling to pay the Turkish company. The government does not want to honor its commitment with an excuse that the bridge is substandard. The Turkish construction company moves to court to seek justice.
The symbolism of despair
The prisoner who commits suicide in jail symbolizes despair in the novel. The prison is a witness in an Alabama and Tennessee case that Mitch is undertaking. Suicide represents the risks of being a witness in a high-risk court case. Witnesses are subjected to threats and other dangers from the accused persons.
The $400 million ransom
The $400 million ransom symbolizes the government's attempts to scare away lawyers who pursue the Turkish construction company case. The government is determined to win the court case against the Turkish construction company that involves the nonpayment of the completed project. The kidnappers set high ransom prices for their victims to scare away any lawyer intending to testify against the government.
