Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The Smiths. U2. Joy Division. Husker Dü. Elvis Costello. The first minute we meet Park, he's got his headphones on, lamenting that his choice of music (XTC) won't drown out "the morons at the back of the bus" (1.1). For Park, music is an escape and a total passion; it's a huge part of his life, from the way he dresses (band shirts, always) to his alphabetized tape collection. No surprise, then, it's also one of the ways he bonds with Eleanor, and their shared love of music is a huge aspect of their relationship.
But why this particular kind of music? What does it mean that Eleanor and Park love Joy Division, but not Top 40 radio? Back in the '80s, without YouTube and iTunes, finding new music was kind of like a treasure hunt. The music Eleanor and Park love—new wave, and in Park's case, punk rock—wasn't really mainstream.
When we first meet Eleanor, she's taken to writing names of songs on her books. Park thinks she's a fan of the bands, but it turns out Eleanor hasn't even heard the music. "It's more like a wish list," she explains to Park. "They're songs I'd like to hear. Or bands I'd like to hear. Stuff that looks interesting" (10.56-58). When Park asks why she doesn't just listen to them, Eleanor says, "It's not like they play the Smiths on Sweet 98" (10.62). So without a Walkman, batteries, and money for the record store, Eleanor's never had a chance to hear them.
So music, in this story, is all about discovery, connection, and bonding. Park's first tentative move, putting his own headphones on Eleanor's head without even touching her, bridges the gap between them. That first Smiths song breaks the ice, and from there, Park's mix tapes bring Eleanor something she's never had—not only new music, but a friendship with someone who cares enough to give her the batteries from his Walkman. Which, to Eleanor, is kind of a big deal.
Music isn't just a way to keep the world at bay, then—to aid in ignoring the kids at the back of the bus—but also a way to connect. And Park and Eleanor's tastes are just as quirky as they each are in their own rights.