110 pages 3 hours read

Michael Chabon

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000

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Symbols & Motifs

Magic

The question of “What is magic?” is woven throughout the text. Magic first enters the story in Joe's younger years in Prague and through the Bernard Kornblum character, but magic, as a thematic element, is not solely relegated to the tricks and illusions that magicians perform. The magical theme often blurs with science and phenomena. Kornblum finds the workings of the universe to be “magical,” and later, Joe uses the term “magic” to describe the ability that art gave him to forget for several moments all his cares and worries.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality runs behind the scenes, but as Sam is a major character and is gay, the subject is addressed through his experiences and sentiments. Through Sam's history with his father and his childhood, the idea of what causes homosexuality is theorized. Sexual discrimination is blatantly addressed in the hotel scene, and the reader is led to sympathize with the men who are bullied; their rape by crooked cops brings to light the detrimental effects of such discrimination for those who don't fit within societal norms. After Sam's “outing” through the Senate hearings, the message seems to be that one should, if not must, accept oneself and that others should as well.