Liars: A Novel

The pet name “Mumbun” symbolizes the romanticized ideal of marriage and the societal expectations tied to it. Introduced early in their relationship, the term reflects the intimacy and tenderness Jane initially associates with her bond with John: “Mumbun, our pet name for each other, derived very early on from Bunny. John, my tender arctic hare” (8). However, as their marriage deteriorates, “Mumbun” transforms into a relic of a connection that no longer exists, much like the traditional ideal of marriage it represents.

When Jane reflects on the name in the context of John’s departure—”He never said Mumbun again after he left, and neither did I. He backslid a few times to calling me M, but I never responded in kind” (243)—it underscores the dissolution of their bond. The pet name’s disappearance mirrors the loss of trust and affection in their relationship, marking a symbolic break from the societal expectation of unconditional marital unity. “Mumbun” critiques the fragility of traditional marital ideals, revealing them to be as fleeting and superficial as the pet name itself.

The two companies John creates, Cloudberry and Polyglot, symbolize his patterns of failure, deceit, and misplaced ambition. These ventures highlight John’s inability to manage responsibilities effectively, both in business and in his personal life. Jane reflects on these failures with biting clarity: “So John had started two companies and gotten fired from both” (114). This repetition of failure serves as a motif that parallels John’s broader tendency to overpromise and underdeliver, leaving others to handle the fallout.

Cloudberry and Polyglot also tie into the theme of Deception in Marriage, as John’s business ventures are steeped in dishonesty. Jane observes, “Funding and launching a company is a long con closely adjacent to lying. The only way to seduce venture capitalists is to convince them that your company can’t possibly fail” (207). This description captures the intersection of John’s professional and personal dishonesty, as his manipulation extends beyond his marriage to his career. By juxtaposing John’s business failures with his personal shortcomings, Manguso critiques the societal systems that enable men like John to mask incompetence with charm, while others bear the consequences of their deceit.

The city of Calgary serves as a recurring symbol of John’s emotional and physical distance from Jane, as well as a site of deception and betrayal. Mentioned throughout the novel, Calgary initially appears as the destination of John’s frequent business trips. However, it later becomes tied to his affair with Victoria, transforming into a representation of the growing chasm in their marriage. Jane’s reaction—“I felt bereft before John’s business trip to Calgary” (65)—captures the unease and loneliness she experiences during his frequent absences, reflecting the strain these trips place on their relationship.

As the narrative unfolds, Calgary takes on a darker significance. It becomes clear that John’s trips to the city are not solely for professional purposes but are also an opportunity to further his relationship with Victoria. For Jane, Calgary symbolizes not only John’s physical detachment but also the emotional and moral distance he creates within their marriage. The city becomes a backdrop to his lies and betrayals, emphasizing the theme of Deception in Marriage.

The repeated references to Calgary also underscore John’s prioritization of his personal desires over his family’s well-being. While John’s absences erode Jane’s trust and strain her emotional resilience, they also serve as a constant reminder of his failures as a partner and father. In this way, Calgary is not just a geographic location but a recurring motif that encapsulates the disconnection and dishonesty that ultimately lead to the dissolution of their marriage.

Tranquilizers serve as a recurring motif, symbolizing Jane’s attempts to cope with the overwhelming stress of her toxic marriage and eventual divorce. Their increasing presence in the narrative reflects the mounting emotional toll Jane endures. After Victoria moves closer, Jane’s use of tranquilizers escalates: “I took a tranquilizer before bed and then another one at six A.M.” (175). This dependence illustrates her struggle to maintain stability amid the chaos of her life with John.

The motif also underscores Jane’s feelings of entrapment and exhaustion. She describes her routine—“I started each morning with a tranquilizer and an acrid, meaty hangover shit” (199)—in a blunt and unvarnished manner, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of her reliance on these medications. While tranquilizers provide Jane with temporary relief, their repeated use symbolizes the unsustainable nature of her coping mechanisms. This motif ties into the theme of Discovering Oneself Post-Divorce, as Jane’s journey leads her toward healthier ways of managing her emotions and reclaiming her autonomy.