Symbols and Motifs

Music:
Music is a symbol which seems to tie the entire novel together, stretching across chapters, characters, and decades. Besides being the primary link between all of Jennifer Egan’s characters, music serves as an alternative method of communication. Through music, Scotty was able to release pent up anger and turn it into something meaningful. It served as the main bond between Scotty and Bennie and reunited them once when they were young adults and again much later. Noting the pauses in music was the only was that Lincoln knew how to express his love to his father, and inviting Lou to a concert was the only way that Jocelyn felt comfortable enough to contact him. Jennifer Egan continuously explores the ways that people connect with each other and themselves, suggesting that music is a primary method.

Modern Culture:
Egan plays with the symbol of modern culture to show how generational gaps cause tension as new technology and societal norms constantly shift. Throughout the book the reader sees how the older generation objects to new trends because they seem inauthentic and different from what they understand. This is the case when Bennie rejects the modern music industry’s use of autotune and lack of real instruments. Alex and his wife in chapter 13 try to go against the modern trend by prohibiting their baby from using the handset until she is older. Modern culture relates back to the theme of A to B since the reason an older generation rejects the evolving culture is because they don’t want to feel outdated and they want everything to stay the same as it was in their youth.

Pauses:
The pauses in music represent the characters feeling as though time has momentarily stopped, although it of course in reality it never does. The symbol appears most in chapter 12 where Sasha’s daughter, Alison, discusses her brothers obsession with the pauses. With the characters constantly feeling like they’re moving forward from A to B and that their lives are slipping by them, pauses present them with an opportunity to relax, and in that state of limbo they find peace. Sasha states that, “The pause makes you think the song will end. And then the song isn’t really over, so you’re relieved”(pg. 281). Although the pauses present a state of existence outside of time, they feel renewed joy for their life because the song ending/stopping forever is a metaphor for them dying. “Every song ends, obviously, and THAT. TIME. THE. END. IS. FOR. REAL” (pg. 281).

Point A to Point B:
Throughout the novel, Egan uses the motif of moving from Point A to Point B to represent change and development in her characters as time progresses, Point A being the beginning point of a character’s life and Point B being a time later, after the character has experienced drastic changes. Often, Point B is much more difficult for the character, as time has taken from them their youth and success, and they yearn to return to Point A.

Egan represents Point A/Point B many times throughout the novel with symbols such as Bennie’s gold flakes (a way for him to possibly return to Point A) or Bosco’s upcoming album, literally titled “A to B.” This motif supports the theme of “time is a goon” and also, somewhat, the theme of music, as there is a side A and a side B to all vinyl records and cassettes.

Personal Identity:
Personal Identity is a crucial theme in A Visit from the Goon Squad. The novel is comprised of characters striving to improve their vision of themselves, which is actually what everyone strives for in life. Throughout the novel, the characters strive to find meaning in their lives. A direct example of this is when Scotty gets his jacket dry cleaned. He only does this when he’s “been somewhere,” because it makes him feel less worthless.

Technology:
Technology is a constant reoccurring symbol in Jennifer Egan’s novel, A Visit From The Goon Squad. Since the chronological order of the book isn’t followed directly in chapter order, symbols such as this one help display, and reflect, the time and change occurring. As the characters continue along their paths in life, technology comes into play by being commonly evident in chapters. Bennie Salazar displays his frustration with technology in the same chapter that he is confused about what time has done to him. Missing the rawness of his original favorite genre of music, he complains about how everything is to digitized and soon after the readers find out he has some form of erectile dysfunction. This helps draw a congruency between technology being progressed as the characters become older and their desire for the past has a stronger passion. When the novel shifts backwards in real time, readers can follow by being fully indulged into the specific period. This is done by constantly displaying use of technology in each chapter congruent to how free and happy the character is. This is to fully indulge the reader in the time setting that Egan desires.

Jennifer Egan reflects her true feelings on technology by implementing different character’s opinions on the gadgets, gear, etc… She obviously feels it’s an important characteristic that highlights not only change in time, but how people age. Certain characters that don’t explore their frustration with technology usually have a smoother route of life in the novel. Other characters, large or small, that experience trouble are usually the more extreme people or have had rougher paths. For example, the General attempts to convey his public image through media and technology. When he is humiliated by Kitty, he sends his men to capture her which proves he infact has not changed at all. Another example is, Bennie has divorced from his wife, feels disconnected from his son, and heavily describes his issue with modern music. Technology has apparently murdered the soul of it, in Bennie’s eyes, especially as he progresses more into his mid-life crisis. Characters such as Rhea don’t experience much trouble with technology because she took a smoother path and her absence of frustration reflects that. She ends up in Seattle, married with children. Egan portrays her point of view on technology changing society and culture, especially in music, through different characters as her medium.

Time:
Time is an important and prevalent motif in A Visit From the Goon Squad, mostly in how it is a powerful force for change and progress. The non sequential timeline reflects the way we as human beings interpret and respond to time and memory, and makes for a more true-to-life experience. There are constant blasts to the future even within chapters, wherein the reader is given insight into the futures and pasts of the characters. This usually serves to cement the idea that time can cause radical change quickly. This theme is strongly tied into technology, which serves to make the jumbled timeline more palatable as it clarifies where the reader is in the novel in regards to time.