Ghost
Attending social functions makes Rask to feel like a ghost. Externally, Rask gives people the impression that he leads a robust social life. However, he "was limited to a few appearances at functions where he thought his ghostly appearance would have the greatest impact." Rask feels out of place in the functions in the same way a ghost would feel in the presence of the people. He attends the functions not because they make him happy but because it is significant for his business.
Canyons
The office buildings in New York are compared to Canyons. Diaz elaborates, "Benjamin barely knew downtown Manhattan—just enough to dislike its canyons of office buildings and its filthy narrow streets filled with prancing businessmen." The metaphorical canyons paint the image of towering skyscrapers. Looking at the world from the skyscrapers would be equivalent to looking down a stiff canyon. The canyon-like appearance of the office buildings does not impress Benjamin.
Monastic
Benjamin's life is analogous to life in a monastery. He leads a highly private and anonymous life. Diaz explains, "Even if gossip never reached him, Rask—with his fastidiously unremarkable appearance, his abstemious habits, and his monastic life—knew he must be regarded as somewhat of a character." Benjamin is very guarded and committed to his privacy and investments. However, he engages in acts such as building expensive mansions to give others an illusional impression of his social credentials.
