“Amapola” is the love theme Noodles uses for Deborah. The song is a love ballad from a man towards the love of his life.
“Amapola” is the Spanish name for the poppy flower, which produces the drug opium. Noodles takes up opium in his later life. This reflects Noodles changing "addictives": when he was previously obsessed with Deborah, now he takes to another drug/obsession to keep going.
Deborah is associated with mirrors, a symbol of vanity and reflection:
In 1923, when Deborah first dances in the back room, she looks at herself in a mirror. She later taunts Noodles to "look at himself", which makes him look in a mirror.
In 1933, before she reunites Noodles, Deborah looks at herself in a compact mirror.
In 1968, she spends nearly her whole time with Noodles in front of a mirror. Whereas the previous times she was being vain and selfish, in this era she is more introspective and probably regretful of how she spent her life.
Noodles is associated with the motif of doors and keys, which represents journeys and choices:
In 1933, a Chinaman ushers Noodles in and out of the opium den.
In 1933, Noodles steals the locker key and Fat Moe's clock key, and returns the clock key to Moe in 1968.
In 1968, Noodles reunites with Moe, who unlocks his door to let him in.
In 1923, Noodles surreptitiously unlocks the bathroom door to let Peggy in.
In 1923, Deborah (who is given a key) purposely leaves her door unlocked to let Noodles in, but after his fight with Bugsy, she locks him out,
In 1933, Deborah charges Noodles of wanting to "lock her up and throw away the key".
In 1933, when Noodles makes a phone call, he makes sure the door is locked (and afterwards, Max locks the door).
In 1968, the cemetery caretaker unlocks the mausoleum door for Noodles (where he finds a key, which in turn opens a locker containing money and a contract).
In 1968, Deborah and Max show Noodles an alternative back door, from which to leave.
The number thirty-five plays a part in the destinies of Noodles and Max.
In 1923, Noodles steals Max's watch at 6:35, and Max threatens to "do something with his time". He later causes Noodles" Aaronson to go into exile for thirty-five years.
In 1968, Noodles's final words to Max (who lived for thirty-five years as Secretary Bailey) are "to let a lifetime of work go to waste". Soon afterwards, Max throws himself into a garbage truck with a license plate reading "35".
