The Goldfinch

by

Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch Symbols

The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly nicknamed the Met, symbolizes the transcendent value of art and beauty in the novel. A globally famous museum with one of the most important collections of art and artifacts…

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The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch—a famous Dutch painting—represents the transcendent power of art and beauty, but also its fragility. Both Audrey and—as readers learn toward the end of the novel—Welty have a special attachment to the painting…

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Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the city where Theo moves after his father Larry assumes custody of him, represents the opposite of everything the novel values. Whereas other important places such as the Met or Hobie’s workshop…

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