Less

One of the novel’s most important symbols is the luggage Less carries on his journey around the world. Since he is traveling to many different countries, the items he packs are diverse: he needs to dress for the cold, the heat, the desert, and the city. In a metaphorical sense, Less must pack his entire life into a small amount of space. As a result, he must select what goes into the bag (items he values) and what does not (items that he does not value). There are practical and sentimental reasons for his choices, but what’s most important is how these contents change throughout the narrative. The items packed at the beginning do not necessarily make it to the end, and some new items must find space among Less’s clutter. The luggage symbolizes Less himself; it accommodates what he chooses but can only contain so much.

In Italy, for example, Less unexpectedly wins an award. He could leave the trophy behind or ship it to America. However, he places the trophy into his suitcase. Due to the luggage’s symbolic meaning, this tells the audience that the award is meaningful to Less. It is a physical representation of literary success and a symbolic repudiation of Less’s anxiety about his career.