Quotations and Literature Forum

My AP Literature class recently had to read Cat and Mouse by Gunter Grass. It is a very good book, and I recommend it. However, it did make my head hurt. Just a heads up.

On that note, I was wondering something. If there is anyone out there who has read this book, and you know what I'm going through, then could you help me? I need some help understanding the book, especially with...

1. SYMBOLS (i.e. the seagulls, the gull excrement, the aching tooth in Chapter one, the pompoms, etc.)

2. The relationship between Mahlke and Pilenz (the narrator)

3. Why Mahlke wants to be a clown

4. The cat and mouse imagery

That is all I can think of for now. I would appreciate any help you can give. Thank you.