How does the author use "color" in the novel, I Pity the Poor Immigrant?

The prevailing symbolism in "I Pity the Poor Immigrant" is color. Author Zachary Lazar goes into great detail in each scene about the colors of characters' clothing, as well as colors in the background, including wall paint, umbrellas on the beach, the food someone is eating, among many others.

The prevailing colors throughout the novel are gray, beige, blue, brown, pink, black and white, orange, green, yellow, gold, red and cream. Each color sets the tone for the individual scene and the characters' interactions.

Black and white generally appear together and often gray accompanies them. These colors dominate interactions between parents and children in the book, including Gila Konig and Hannah Groff, symbolizing that Gila is a stand-in for Hannah's mother, even if Hannah doesn't want to accept that. As complex parent/child relationships are a major theme in the book, it makes sense to use these contrasting colors that symbolize the darkest and lightest aspects of the world to illustrate the difficulties the various characters endure.

Many of the colors have dual meanings. For example, blue can mean sadness – a feeling that dominates the novel – or peace. All the characters are on a seemingly hopeless quest to find peace while tragedy permeates their lives. Yellow, too, holds a dual and contrasting meaning. It means happiness and joy, but also deceit. Everyone has something to hide.