The piano
One of the most important elements in the play is the piano which appears from the prologue and then is also described as being an important part in Artie’s apartment. Because of this, we can consider the piano as being both a common motif in the play and also, a symbol. The piano is used here to symbolize Artie’s desire to become a songwriter and also the way in which this dream has captured his life completely, giving away little space for other matters.
The hope
The action in the play takes place during the time when the Pope visited New York. The characters in the play all seem to be extremely interested by the Pope’s visit, planning to go and get as close to him as possible, some even harboring the belief they will be held if they manage to get in close proximity with the Pope. The Pope is used here as a symbol for hope, many clinging to the idea that divine intervention will save them from the dire situation they found themselves in.
Symbol for lack of negativity
Among the only characters in the play who have redeeming qualities is Corrinna, a well-known actress and Billy’s lover. She distinguishes herself from others through her good hearted nature but also through a physical disability she has, deafness. This ‘’flaw’’ is kept hidden from the others but Corrinna grows more and more restless as time passes by, thinking about how she will have to eventually wear a hearing aid. Corrinna’s deafness is also used here as a symbol, which has the purpose of suggesting the character’s inability to behave in a cruel way and her habit of wanting to see the best in others.
Shoving pills down her throat
One of the common motif in the play is the way in which Artie constantly shoves pills down his wife’s throat. This takes place every time when other characters are present and when Artie feels as if Bananas embarrasses him in some way or another. This is used as a way to show the extent to which Artie despises his wife.
Decline
At the end of the second act, Corrinne and the three nuns die from the explosion provoked by the bomb built by Ronnie. From the point when Corrinne and the nuns die, the rest of the characters decline rapidly and loose are their redeeming qualities. Thus, the death of the nuns and Corrinne is used here as a symbol for the decline of everything that is good in the play.
