Polished
George puts on his clothes very particularly in the morning. This is a symbol that his suit, his clothes are his armor against the world he lives in.
Against the Grain
George walks into school and is moving against the crowd of students who walk past him. This is a symbol that he is moving in a completely different direction than they. He is walking into death and they into life.
Thrown Away
George empties out his desk drawers in his office at school and finishes off a bottle of scotch. This is a symbol that he is going away, for good.
Pistol
We see George has a pistol that he puts into his briefcase before leaving the house. The gun is a symbol that he is going to use it to kill himself.
George and Charley
George and Charley are old friends and former lovers. Their dinner together is symbolic of two people who have lost lost in different ways and share a common language of pain.
