The 6:20 Man

Devine’s transition from military to civilian life is an important recurring motif in The 6:20 Man, highlighting the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile the order and structure of his past with the unpredictable chaos of Wall Street. Devine is portrayed as a soldier in a suit, applying the same rigid discipline and strategic thinking to financial battles as he once did to combat. This motif underscores the notion of the “war machine,” suggesting that the battle does not end when one leaves the battlefield; it simply changes form. The novel suggests that while the discipline of military life can prepare one for the challenges of civilian endeavors, it can also render one ill-equipped for the subtleties and moral gray areas of a world driven by profit rather than honor.

The daily train ride in The 6:20 Man transcends its role as mere setting, evolving into a symbol of the characters’ journey through life. It is a microcosm of the broader world they inhabit—a space where ambition, competition, and the relentless pursuit of success coalesce. The train is both a vessel and a witness to their lives, carrying them toward their destinies while also offering a brief interlude for reflection. It is on this train that the characters are most themselves, stripped of their office personas, and it is here that the reader glimpses their vulnerabilities and their quiet determination.

Wall Street itself is a powerful symbol within the novel, representing not just a physical location but a battleground where the financial elite and aspirants alike vie for power and prestige. It is an arena that promises glory but demands sacrifice and a place where one’s mettle is constantly tested. Wall Street is emblematic of the American dream in its most raw and unvarnished form—a dream that is as much about the potential for ruin as it is about the possibility of triumph. It is the altar upon which the characters lay their ambitions and the crucible that either forges them into legends or burns them to ash.

Brad Cowl’s $20,000 suit is not just a piece of clothing but a symbol that represents the ostentatious display of wealth that characterizes Cowl’s personality. It signifies more than financial success; it is an emblem of Cowl’s ego, his desire for status, and his need to assert dominance in every room he enters. The suit, with its exorbitant price tag openly shared, along with the details of the tailor and the celebrity clientele, is a deliberate exhibition of affluence meant to impress and intimidate. This symbol serves as a narrative device that accentuates the economic disparities within the novel and highlights the superficiality with which characters like Cowl measure self-worth and success. The suit is a manifestation of the materialistic culture within the finance industry, where appearance often trumps substance and the cost of one’s attire can speak louder than actions.

The penthouse atop the Cowl and Comely building and the nearby mansion are powerful symbols of Brad Cowl’s vast wealth and influence. The penthouse, high above the city, represents Cowl’s elevated status and detachment from the everyday lives of ordinary people. It’s a space that reflects both his ambition and his isolation, serving as a fortress that separates him from the world below. The mansion, on the other hand, is a symbol of his excess and the performative aspect of his wealth, a venue for social gatherings where strategic displays of power occur. The color-coded swimsuits worn by Montgomery at his mansion’s pool, used as signals for financial transactions, further symbolize the way Cowl manipulates those around him, turning personal relationships into tools for his own gain. These settings are not just living spaces; they are carefully constructed stages on which the drama of wealth, power, and manipulation plays out.

The third-floor dining room at Cowl and Comely is a symbol of the corporate hierarchy and the privileges that come with professional advancement. The inaccessibility of this space to the lower-level employees is emblematic of the barriers that exist within the corporate ladder, the visible rewards that await those who succeed, and the exclusion faced by those who have not yet “made it.” This dining room represents the tangible goals that drive the characters’ ambition, as well as the divide between the haves and have-nots within the company.

The security logs at Cowl and Comely become a symbol of the illusion of security and accountability in the corporate world. The ease with which these logs can be manipulated exposes the vulnerability of systems that are perceived to be infallible. They represent the fragility of truth in an environment riddled with deception, where what is documented can be as uncertain as what is not.

The array of computers on the 51st floor is a symbol of the clandestine and illicit activities that underpin the veneer of legitimate business. They are the physical manifestation of the hidden world of money laundering, representing both the sophistication and the darkness of white-collar crime. Devine’s inability to uncover the masterminds behind the operations speaks to the intangible and often unreachable nature of true power within the novel.

The dating app Hummingbird is a multifaceted symbol in the novel. It represents the universal human yearning for connection and love, as well as the modern way in which these desires are commodified and mediated through technology. Additionally, it symbolizes Tapshaw’s genius and her capacity for creation, which is contrasted with her destructive personal actions.