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Josef Kavalier's Birth
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Josef's Astounding Feat of Autoliberation
This is the first time we are exposed to the resilency and strong will of Josef Kavalier. His determination and perserverance in this scene are the first of many areas that he is tested. The theme of escape is prevalent throughout the novel, and Joe's actual escape from the sack sets the tone for the rest of the novel. -
Josef's Escape from Prauge to America
Another testament to the fortitude of Joe's will. His ability to survive the horror of this experince empowers him, and gives him this unbreakable will that faces it's share of tests throught the novel. The escape motif is reinforced and truely emerges as a recurring theme with this scene. -
The Creation of The Escapist
While Sammy and Joe had already formed a tight bond, the creation of The Escapist is the begging of the charachters real journey together. The birth of The Escapist gives us more insight into the motif of escape. It reveals the many ways in which we can apply it, escape from oppersion, escape from fear, and escape from the past. -
Joe begins his relationship with Rosa
The peak of the Golden Age for the world of comics. Kavalier is experiencing maturation as well as love. Kavalier is beginning to see things clearly and found a connection with Rosa Saks. Kavalier’s connection with Rosa Sak’s signifies his growth as an individual and desire to protect the one he loves. -
The death of Thomas Kavalier
The news of his brothers death shocks Joe, and leads to his attempted suicide. This allows for the further support of the escape motif, in the sense of the inability to escape. It also exposes another strong theme, the feeling of guilt. For Joe it is the feeling of guilt for the family he left behind in prague. -
The rape of Sam Klayman
Sam's homosexuality has been a constant frustration for him up to this point in the novel. Prior to this scene however it appears that he is finally comfortable with himself and ready to accept who he is. The events that transpire at the beach house drive him back towards denial and the pursuit of a fake hetero relationship with Rosa. The recurring themes of guilt and escape are both present here, as Sam can not escape the guilt he feels about his sexual orientation. -
Joe joins the Navy
Joe is distraught after learning of his brothers death, and blindly abandons Rosa and Sammy in an attempt to escape his guilt by exacting revenege on the Nazi's. Joe is driven to Join the Navy by the guilt he feels toward his brother's death, and abandoniong his family. Cementing guilt as a motif in this novel. -
The birth of Tommy
Tommy plays a major role in both Sam and Joe's lives. He will eventually be the force that unites them once again. The birth of Tommy is critical in the forgiveness theme of this novel. Without his birth Joe may have never gotten over the death of his brother, and Sam may have been lost in his sexualy frustrated society forever. -
Joe enters Tommy's life
This is a momentous move for Joe, as he is in hiding from most of the world since his return from the war. It is through these private magic sessions with his son that he is eventually brought back into his life. This is a pivitol role in the forgiveness that Joe finds in the story. His love for Tommy, helps him to overcome his guilt and rage. -
Joe enters Tommy's Life
This is a momentous move for Joe, as he is in hiding from most of the world since his return from the war. It is through these private magic sessions with his son that he is eventually brought back into his life. This is a pivitol role in the forgiveness that Joe finds in the story. His love for Tommy, helps him to overcome his guilt and rage. -
Joe purchases Empire Comics
This is the final step in our charachters absolution. They see their dreams realized and their guilt absolved. Sam leaves for California to pursue his true nature, and Joe and Rosa resume their relationship.