G.’s Outrage

In Chapter 1, “Mentor,” G.’s outrage symbolizes the difficulties and emotional volatility of youth. G. feels romantically attracted to a male friend of his, and he is sad that the friend does not reciprocate the attraction. When the narrator tries to comfort G. and tell him that the feelings will pass, G. becomes outraged and says that he does not want the feelings to pass, painful as they may be.

Sex

In the novel, sex symbolizes both personal fulfillment and personal struggle. When the narrator is in a relationship with R., their sex is mutually pleasurable and fulfilling. When R. breaks off the relationship, the narrator has anonymous sex with many other men to try to soothe himself. However, these sexual encounters are not an equal substitute to the level of fulfillment and personal connection that the narrator had with R.

Crying

When the...