This setting is associated with Isaac's sexual awakening and his attempt to assimilate into modern Zionist society. Sonya treats Isaac as a brief dalliance, leading to his eventual disillusionment and move to Jerusalem.
The relationship between Sonya and the dog is primarily linked through the protagonist, , as they represent the two distinct worlds he inhabits: Sonya and the dog
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. This setting is associated with Isaac's sexual awakening
For deeper literary analysis, you can find a detailed summary and critical reviews of Only Yesterday on . Only Yesterday: A Novel 9780691197265 - DOKUMEN.PUB Isaac's inability to find a permanent home or
Isaac's obsessive guilt over his relationship with Sonya follows him to Jerusalem, where it is projected onto his actions regarding Balak.
Isaac's inability to find a permanent home or identity in either Jaffa (with Sonya) or Jerusalem (represented by the fate of Balak).