Painting

Painting symbolizes Milo’s failures to fulfill his personal ambitions. In Milo’s youth, he aspired to become a successful painter. However, as an adult, he failed to do so, and he finds his career generally unfulfilling. Throughout the book, Milo’s failures contrast with other people’s successes, such as the artistic successes of former college friend Billy Raskov.

Knife

The knife symbolizes Milo’s tenuous connections to his past and his seeming lack of control over his personal destiny. Milo’s father once gave Milo an antique knife as a present. Milo accidentally left the knife in an old apartment after graduating college, and Jane, one of the new residents, claimed it for her own. Milo did not have the will to protest.

Don’s Prosthetic Legs

Don’s prosthetic legs symbolize both the physical and mental trauma that Don suffered when serving in...