Saturday

The city of London in Saturday is a rich symbol that represents both the microcosm of individual lives and the macrocosm of broader social and political forces. Throughout his day, Henry observes again and again the activity occurring on the streets. The city is depicted as a bustling, dynamic metropolis that is home to a diverse array of people, cultures, and experiences. It is a place of both beauty and danger, where moments of joy and connection can be found, such as the marchers’ celebratory attitude, alongside moments of pain and alienation, such as when Henry witnesses a young couple facing addiction. As such, the city of London represents the complex tapestry of human experience and the way that individual lives are shaped by broader social and cultural forces.

At the same time, the city of London also serves as a symbol of the political and social realities of the early 2000s. The novel is set in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and against the backdrop of the Iraq War (See: Background), and the city is depicted as a site of political tension and social unrest. The impending anti-war demonstration serves as a powerful reminder of the political divisions and cultural clashes that characterized the era, and the novel explores the impact of these forces on individual lives. In this way, the city of London serves as a potent symbol that captures the complexities of contemporary society and the way that political and social forces shape individual experiences.

Music is a recurring motif in Saturday, serving as a powerful symbol of human emotion, connection, and communication. Throughout the novel, music is portrayed as a unifying force that brings people together and allows them to connect to the deeper meaning of being human.

For example, when Henry’s son performs a new song with his band, Henry feels that the music inspires a sense of unity and rightness within him: The music serves as a representation of the beauty that life can offer, even amidst the prevailing sense of hopelessness that is often present in the news. Similarly, in the final scene, Henry operates on Baxter while listening to the “Goldberg” Variations. In the repetition and variation of the music, Henry sees the repetition and variation of life reflected, allowing him to be at peace with the chaotic and unusual events of the day.