Question

Absurdity and Reality-  what is the significance of the props associated with eash charcter: jerry'sknife and peter"s book?

Accepted Answer

The knife is significant since murder/suicide by KNIFE is more personal than death by a gun.  One doesn't need to be close to his victim if he shoots a gun.  But in order to be stabbed, people must come within 6 inches of each other.  It is intimate and personal.  This is what Jerry wanted..that personal conection to someone.  Peter's book represents his refusal to look up and see the suffering around him.  Jerry makes him put the book down to engage with him.

Answer

I'm not sure what your asking with the absurdity and reality prefix but in terms of The Zoo Story, the book is a representation of Peter's disassociation with reality (i.e. he lives in his perfect world, everything is routine, etc) however you'd be hard pressed to properly analyse that as I think it is a minor symbol. The knife is merely a plot point - a way for Jerry to allow Peter to reveal his primal nature.

The Zoo Story

Absurdity and Reality- what is the significance of the props associated with eash charcter: jerry'sknife and peter"s book?

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