Another Country

Another Country includes many symbolic pieces of media. Books, plays, films, and music are all used to symbolize the characters’ emotional turmoil and their attempts to arrest control of their lives. For some characters, media is a form of escapism. Cass can escape from her cloying marriage by going to the movies while Eric is able to help establish his identity by acting in a role that is very different from his own personality. Richard and Vivaldo are both novelists who hope to be successful enough to write full time. They escape from the drudgery of their lives by writing, not only placing themselves in the novels but by selling books to earn material wealth. Films and books in this sense are symbolically linked with the characters need to establish their identity and establish their control over meandering, alienated lives.

Racism and prejudice occur frequently throughout the novel, but the characters are united by their love of books, films, plays, and music. An appreciation for media is one of the few traits that every character shares, whatever their race, sexuality, or social class. However, only certain characters are permitted to tell certain stories. Vivaldo and Richard are white men who aspire to be novelists.