A stray dog that Isaac encounters in Jerusalem. Isaac, in a moment of whimsy or madness, paints the words "mad dog" on Balak’s side, turning the animal into a pariah and a symbol of Isaac's own internal struggles. Narrative Significance
This setting represents a more religious, yet suffocating, atmosphere. Balak becomes a cursed figure, mirroring Isaac’s guilt and psychological disintegration. Key Themes Sonya and the dog
The relationship between Sonya and the dog is primarily linked through the protagonist, , as they represent the two distinct worlds he inhabits: A stray dog that Isaac encounters in Jerusalem
A "modern" and liberated woman living in Jaffa during the Second Aliyah. She represents the secular, European-influenced lifestyle that challenges the traditional upbringing of the protagonist, Isaac Kumer. Balak becomes a cursed figure, mirroring Isaac’s guilt
Isaac's inability to find a permanent home or identity in either Jaffa (with Sonya) or Jerusalem (represented by the fate of Balak).
For deeper literary analysis, you can find a detailed summary and critical reviews of Only Yesterday on . Only Yesterday: A Novel 9780691197265 - DOKUMEN.PUB