American Opportunity
"Good-bye, Americana; hello real time." (3.65)Way to be a master wordsmith, Roth. Jerry's words contain not one but two contrasting sets of symbols. "Americana" seems to refer to the numerous symbo...
Baked Ziti
We're referring both to the ziti that the Swede and Merry eat at Vincent's in New York City and the ziti that Merry prepares for Dawn every Friday night. This counts as both "symbol" and "imagery."...
Merry's Belongings
Swede hands over a number of Merry's childhood possessions—including ballet slippers and a scrapbook full of pictures of Audrey Hepburn—to Rita Cohen in the hopes of somehow reaching Merry four...
Deep Throat and Deep Throat
The X-Rated film Deep Throat (1972) is one topic that frames the conversation at the Labor Day (September 1, 1973) dinner party with which American Pastoral ends. The film features a woman who can'...
Bombs
Believe us when we say, that with our current levels of 90's nostalgia (why did JNKOs go away? why?!) we're having a really hard time not making a "the bomb" pun. But we're staying strong for your...
Gloves
The ultra-detailed descriptions of the gloving industry could make a book in and of themselves… although it wouldn't be as entertaining as this particular book. This insider's look into the glovi...
Merry's Veil
When the Swede finally finds Merry again, she's wearing a super gross veil made from "the ragged foot off of an old nylon stocking" (5.82). Merry seems to be using the veil to protect the world fro...