The Ring
The boxing ring, the main stage for most of the action that includes boxing, acting, singing, dancing, and drinking, is a symbol for Shorty's mind. He is trapped inside the boxing ring, and no matter what he does or where he goes, he is always stuck inside his own mind. When Shadow tightens the reins and keeps him fighting, he forces Shorty to remain trapped in his own head, pondering his decisions and wishing he could take them back. His mind is also the only place he can retreat to find any sort of happiness, imagining the world beyond mere reality.
Shadow
Shadow himself is a symbol for the power of the Devil on Earth. He is a sketchy-looking fellow, with a bad reputation and a terrible prejudice against everything white (both people and light, which is in opposition to his darkness). His name, Shadow, even reflects his nature as the manifestation of darkness, shrouding light and doing everything in his power to control it.
Boxing
Boxing, far from the typically glorified arena of male dominance promoted by movies such as Rocky and Creed, is depicted here as a brutal, almost barbaric activity that symbolizes the non-stop struggle of a man to survive in today's world. He must put others down to ensure his own survival, and the never-ending stream of matches reflects the ceaseless nature of the chase for security in an insecure world.
The Play
Shorty, essentially forced into becoming a fighter, has a deeper and stronger aspiration: to be an actor. Accordingly, he rehearses for a play with Angie and Shadow whenever he has a break from boxing. This artistic outlet represents his hopes and dreams, but the fact that it always takes place in the boxing ring reveals that it will only ever be a fantasy. The ironic nature of the play's selection also hammers in this futile message (they are performing Faust, the story of a man who sells his soul to the devil).
Jazz
Under direct instruction from Kwahulé, a jazz quartet provides background music for much of the play. Jazz also has a strong presence throughout the dialogue, as the reporter, Micky, likens Shorty's legwork to Billie Holiday's voice and his speed to Charlie Parker's saxophone, among others. This motif, present in both the beginning and the end of the play, serves to represent the beautiful, artistic escape one can find in one's own mind, as well as through music.
