44 pages • 1 hour read
Last Days of Summer
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Symbols & Motifs
Baseball
The proximity of the Margolis residence to the Polo Grounds baseball field, Joey’s encyclopedic knowledge of the game, and the fact that Charlie Banks is a professional player and 3rd baseman for the N.Y. Giants baseball team allow for numerous allusions to baseball within the text. In juxtaposition to the moral and physical chaos at the time of the Holocaust, baseball is straightforward, and requires both athleticism and adherence to a carefully-delineated and rational set of rules. Additionally, it is considered to be a quintessential all-American pastime, and is generally associated with carefree summer days and a kinder, gentler aspect of American culture.
The fact that Joey’s hero, Charlie Banks, plays 3rd base for the N.Y. Giants helps to build the athlete’s image as a hardworking, straightforward, steadfast character. While Charlie loves playing the game of baseball and has been involved in several game-related scuffles with other players, it is his innate sense of morality and (often well-hidden) good heart that cause him to become a substitute father to Joey. Within the short span of their close relationship, which begins with a baseball-related correspondence, Joey becomes more disciplined and less impulsive, and Charlie evolves from a somewhat immature, gifted athlete into a kind and self-sacrificing father.
Music
Music plays heavily into the theme and setting of the story. In the World War II era of radio and Big Bands, and prior to the advent of television, popular music was arguably an even more important part of culture than today. The era celebrates bittersweet, romantic ballads like “At Last,” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.” These songs expressed the longing of couples separated by war.
Hazel McKay, who becomes Charlie Banks’ wife and ultimately his widow, is a professional singer. She appears in trendy supper clubs in New York City, and eventually starts to allow Joey Margolis to sing duets with her. Charlie makes somewhat futile attempts to learn to play his saxophone; he leaves the cherished instrument in Joey’s safekeeping when he enlists, and is killed in action during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Several of the characters reference popular songs in their letters, and music allows them to cement their memories of one another during happier times.
The Kiddush Cup
In the Jewish religion, the Kiddush cup is used to hold wine or grape juice as a prayer is recited prior to the Sabbath meal. The ceremony evolves from instructions given in the Torah requiring that special prayers and a ceremonial meal be prepared for the Sabbath and Jewish holidays.
When Joey’s biological father refuses to participate in the boy’s Bar Mitzvah ceremony, it appears that the event may not occur. Charlie Banks, a Protestant, approaches the Rabbi and requests that he be allowed to substitute for Mr. Margolis. While initially hesitant, Rabbi Lieberman ultimately determines that this situation should allow for a modification of the rules, and Charlie learns enough Hebrew to participate in the ceremony. The Rabbi also wagers a silver Kiddush cup that Charlie will not be able to force Joey to learn the Torah recitation required to make his Bar Mitzvah; however, Charlie both cajoles and withholds privileges from Joey until he memorizes the texts. Having lost the wager, Rabbi Lieberman sends Charlie a silver cup engraved with his name. The cup symbolizes the blessing that Charlie and Joey have each brought to the lives of the other, and serves as an emblem of ecumenicism between the two faiths.
Report Cards
Joey’s long-suffering teacher, Mrs. Hunt, sends narrative reports home to Joey’s mother and aunt each semester. Despite the fact that he always earns As in his academic subjects, Mrs. Hunt bemoans his lack of obedience and is unappreciative of his argumentation skills. At one point, Joey’s interpretation of classic literary characters as fascists results in Mrs. Hunt taking an unexpected leave of absence from her teaching career.
As the story progresses, Joey matures and becomes a gentler student. This event is largely fueled by his passionate love for his classmate and future wife, Rachel. Conversely, it is clear that his instructor becomes more aware of his true character and enviable intellectual capacity. These report cards trace the protagonist’s growth and also allow for witty rejoinders to Mrs. Hunt’s complaints by Joey’s mother and aunt, who clearly adore him.
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