Symbolism In Barney's Version

Heart Full of Void
All the wealth in the world can not fill an empty life. In Barney’s Version by Mordecai Richler, takes place in mid 50’s paris, Richler uses a structuralist perspective to display the struggle of Barney’s dying life. Using first person point of view, symbolism and internal conflict, Richler beautifully entertains how depressing and empty Barney’s life is.
Richler’s choice of first person point of view, manifest Barney’s depressing and vacant life. Unfortunately most of Barney’s friends have affairs with his wives, “I did not trick you, I swear the baby was yours”(117), as the baby comes out black, Barney is extremely surprised as he waited months and married anticipating the child to be his. No matter how much money Barney

makes, in his point of view he is always unmotivated and unfulfilled by his company, “It is called totally unnecessary production, and it is just that”(205). As time goes on so does Barney’s health as he starts to forget his life, in Barney’s view he starts forgetting simple things, “I picked up the phone and started to dial, stopped and began to curse, I could not remember Miriam’s number”(403), more importantly Barney forgets his sincere love for Miriam. As Barney’s life slowly starts to collapse right in front of him, he is left with nothing except an empty head with forgotten memories.

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Symbolism is a major device used by Richler, portraying Barney as a depleted man in need of artificial happiness.

Barney being an alcoholic, alcohol is a symbol used as Barney’s way of escaping his dreadful life for a sense of security, “We laid our glasses on the bar and demanded more sustenance”(211), without it Barney would be pressured to face his never ending problems without a safe haven. Finding true love has always been difficult for Barnie, so as a substitute, Barney obtains trophy wives which symbolize his lust for true love,”I had stumbled into marriage with the second Mrs.Panofsky out of spite”(307), the two trophy wives Barney had, Clara and Mrs.Panofsky, were just a bandaid solution to his aching heart in need of authentic love. The montecristo cigar symbolizes Barney’s sanity, “I got lost, I panicked, as I was pulling on a montecristo”(315), the montecristo is one of the few things that bring joy to Barney and keeps his sanity intact through his problems, however the cigar does not last forever as it burns out just like Barney. Barney has always avoided his problems and never stood up to them to conquer his everlasting

depression.
Internal conflict with Barney is endless as he is constantly searching for genuine happiness.

Barney’s best friend Boogie goes missing and the blame is on Barney for his death,” I have wakened more than once recently no longer certain of what really happened on the lake”(315), Barney believes he is innocent, although after questioning his innocence, he painfully doubts himself if he really did kill his best friend.Barney’s endless love for Miriam knows no bounds,”Miriam.Miriam my heart's desire”(318), however Barney cheats on her and she leaves him, the love he once felt for Miriam, burns inside of him forever. After All his loses, Barney just wants to stay in Montreal and slowly die alone,”Be rooted in a city like me, is
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diminishing day by day”(79), preparing for a disinclined death, sorrow and regret fills Barney’s depleted hope.
First person point of view, symbolism and internal conflict all portray Barney as a defeated man only looking for a salvation he can not find. With all hope lost, and the one undeniable genuine love of his life Miriam gone, Barney is fully burnt out, just like a montecristo. A man without purpose and meaning is a man with despair and

sorrow.