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The bridge on which the two main characters stand has two chief symbolic meanings. First, it represents Adam’s attitude of superiority. Just as the bridge spans and stares down at the highway, Adam feels himself to be above other people, especially Seth. Adam can literally look down on others from the bridge, just as he figuratively looks down on anyone who is uncool. Additionally, the bridge may be said to represent the transition that Seth undergoes over the course of the story. At the beginning he feels insecure and tries to mimic the actions of someone he believes to have real masculine prowess. By the end, however, Seth realizes how toxic Adam’s masculine self-image really is and abandons his attempt to be more manly. This realization allows Seth to make a true first step toward being his own person. The bridge represents this transitional moment into adulthood.
Seth’s denim jacket symbolizes the tough-guy image he wants to project, as if he were a motorcycle gang member or a reflection of the rebellious youth portrayed in media and film. He bought his jacket new, and despite tearing off its arms and giving it repeated washings, it still does not look authentically tough, which leaves Seth feeling like a fraud. He is embarrassed to let his parents see him wearing it, and he hides it in the garage as if hiding himself. When the jacket is bloodied after the fight, Seth throws it away, no longer wanting to be seen as a tough guy.
Cigarettes symbolize both rebellion and manliness. Adam and Seth see themselves as rebels because they smoke, despite being underage. From 1954 to 1999, Marlboro cigarettes, the brand Adam prefers, featured the “Marlboro Man” in their advertising campaigns. The campaign originally showcased men in various traditionally masculine roles, such as construction workers, policemen, and firefighters. But by 1957, the American cowboy became the brand’s most popular image, helping Marlboro to become the best-selling cigarette in the U.S. Until the late 1960s, however, the Marlboro Men were mostly actors. Adam’s preference may subtly hint at his own inauthentic manliness.
