Looking for Mr. Goodbar Themes & Symbolism

Looking for Mr. Goodbar Significant Topics

Fear

Fear is a major theme of the novel Looking for Mr. Goodbar. Theresa suffers from many fears throughout her life. At a young age she is hospitalized with polio. Since she is only four at the time Theresa has very few memories of this time. However, one memory she does have is of her grandmother no longer coming to the hospital to visit her. Theresa's grandmother has died during this time but Theresa's parents tell the girl that she has only gone to California. This is Theresa's first experience with loss, however; it will not be her last. Later Theresa's older brother dies in a training accident. Theresa's parents take this death so hard they do nothing to help Theresa deal with her own feelings. Theresa sees how painful loss is to them and learns to fear it. The loss of Martin, her first love when she graduates from college...
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