Typewriters

Typewriters, a new invention at the time of this story, are anathema to the attorney Giuliani. He finds them too noisy and soulless. He misses the days when a clerk could embellish his handwriting to express his or her personality.

Automobiles

Alessandro's pet peeve in the onrushing modernism sweeping Europe is the automobile. Not unlike his father's distaste for clattering typewriters, Alessandro finds cars too noisy, dirty, and threatening in a way that horses never are.

Rome

Rome is where the novel opens and ends. It is home to Alessandro Giuliani, his sister, and father. It is also where his life comes to a close many years later. Some of the self-confidence of Romans as compared with the humble people from rural Italy comes across in Alessandro's personality. A well-educated and privileged Roman from an aristocratic family, Alessandro is somewhat condescending toward his hiking companion, Nicolo Sambucca...