Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Atlantic City goes through some serious ch-ch-changes over the course of Boardwalk Empire. What begins as a tiny island village grows into mecca for tourists and gamblers—a place where super-weal...
What's Up With the Title?
In many ways, Atlantic City has always functioned as a little self-sufficient empire. After all, everything goes back to the boss. This is especially true in Nucky's case; he rules his operation li...
What's Up With the Epigraph?
If the people who came to town had wanted Bible readings, we'd have given 'em that. But nobody ever asked for Bible readings. They wanted booze, broads, and gambling, so that's what we gave 'em. -...
What's Up With the Ending?
Things are finally looking up for Atlantic City. Gambling is now legal; Donald Trump is chilling "on the bridge of his $30 million yacht, the Trump Princess" (12.1) after investing massive sums int...
Tough-o-Meter
The hardest thing about Boardwalk Empire is keeping track of all the people—otherwise, it isn't a difficult book by any means. Johnson writes with a simple style that emphasizes clarity above all...