Having to discuss his dead mother with his visiting brother is what sparks memories that help the narrator deal with the loss. Forgetting her life and only remembering the details of her death is what effects the character so negatively. His mother and her innocence are symbolized as bread. McInerney uses fresh baked bread as a symbol of good in the novel. In a symbolic gestu!.
re at the end of the book the narrator trades his sunglasses which he used to block out the light of day and in essence his real life, for some bread, a new beginning.
The most interesting character found throughout the two novels is Connor McKnight. .
Suffering from an unconscious desire for self-destruction. Not only is he obsessed with his girlfriend Philomena, whom to say is totally self-absorbed would be an understatement, he is obviously an alcoholic. The most perplexing thing about the character is that he states through most of the novel what traits he hates in his friends and colleagues, yet he is unaware that he exhibits many of these traits. Conner states that he despises that people admire Hollywood celebrities yet he is insanely jealous of Chip Ralston a Hollywood action movie star whom he finds out has stolen his model girlfriend. "I am mad at him because he is making my life difficult by not returning my calls. In the larger scheme, he is sucking up all the fame and money and adulation of women which might, in a more just universe, accrue to more a more worthy party " Conner is obviously speaking of himself as the other party. Connors jealousy develops into a festering hatred, strong enough that he attacks Chi!.
p as he exits his limo. Often sighting Phelomena's lack of faithfulness, Conner can't come to terms with his own infidelity in the relationship. He has more then one sexual encounter with other women and even becomes obsessed with a local dancer at that strip club he visits on a regular biases.
