Rival (allegory)
Christine was extremely jealous of Claude's art, she called his pictures her rivals. When she was posing nude for his paintings, she saw that he loved those painted women more than herself; he was so much obsessed with his art that did not pay attention to Christine. Claude’s art was the most important thing for him, neither his wife, nor his son, nor his friends were not so loved as his paintings, but his constant discontent with his work made him crazy time after time, and in the end it took his life. Within entire novel Christine calls his art a rival and tried to win him back from it, but she never succeeded and “her rival” became a reason of Claude’s suicide.
The train (symbol)
When Claude has been brought to the cemetery it was a still weather, cloudy but rainless day. Everything was quiet and still, and suddenly a train was heard and burst into his tranquility of funeral. It died away as swiftly as it rushed in. This train reminded those present that life goes on, and it becomes a symbol for people’s continuing greed for life, success and love. After the funeral Bongrand and Sandoz look at the watch and say to each other: “Let’s go work”. No matter who died, as those who live pursue their own hopes and dreams.
Paris (symbol)
Paris is the place of most of the action. Here, painters, writers, sculptors and many other search for glory, money and general approval. Paris stands as a symbol of new and revolutionary minds, it was a cradle of new views on art, culture, standard of morality and overall human values.
