“Lost In Yonkers” by Neil Simon exceeded my expectations in the last chapters of the book. The analytic tactics utilized throughout Simon’s writings truly enveloped the book in a rich variety of symbols and motifs.

The recurring theme of feeling trapped, or chained within ones mind and the inability to discover who you are or the life you want to live can be visualized by this photo of chains. The chains represent a feeling of being tied down or unable to express ones feelings, which is common within “Lost In Yonkers” and the family the book is revolved around and their thin relationship. My point of interest within this book is the connection the family shares and the various symbols throughout the scenes and acts that represent each characters life, emotions, and childhood within hidden objects or tokens around the house the family lives in. I have currently finished reading my book and am interested in further analyzing the symbols and motifs within the book, the meaning behind them, and how it connects to the overall theme of family hardship/struggles with relationships. As an example of Neil Simons many symbols woven into his book, he sets up a hidden symbol amongst the character of Uncle Louie and the black bag he carries around as he states to the boys “Oh. One last thing. (Pointing to his black satchel) Don’t touch this. I got my valuables in there” (Simon 60). By telling the boys to never open his bag, the black satchel serves as a symbol of his hidden life and the secrets he has are contained within the bag that he does not want anyone to know about. The bag also represents the dark side of the two boy’s goofy and affectionate uncle’s life, and the certain topics he won’t discuss with anyone.

I do not have a particular disagreement with the decisions Simon has chosen to write “Lost In Yonkers” or the overall structure. I believe he has formatted the book in a perfect way, specifically incorporating analytical and rhetorical devices to hide symbols and underlying meanings that make the book so much more special than originally perceived. I specifically praise the messages their Grandma entails every time she speaks and the lessons she has provided for her children, and also her grandchildren that has shaped each characters beings. I also adore Simon’s decision to make the tone of the story not only tense, but comedic, dramatic, heartfelt, and tragicomic. Simon’s inclusion of a paradox is also apparent within his novel and should be applauded. Grandma Kurnitz and her relationship with her family is the paradox within this book as she pushes them to be strong because she is afraid of them dying and leaving her alone in the world. By doing so, however, she pushes her children and family away emotionally, making it more likely for her to spend her future alone. Neil Simon is particularly doing well expressing the hardships within families, especially families from foreign backgrounds who have different traditions, and does so through his rhetorical strategies that make the book so captivating! Loved all of the hidden messages within his writing! 🙂