I love the phrase, “highlife-lowlife,” and I think it best describes Joe Gould. He has some sort of character to him to which he thinks people should consider a man, who is squeezing ketchup onto his place and calling it free food, to be somewhat of a higher statue than the commoner. He carrying himself and clothes himself in a poor manner, drinks every day and has a dynamic change of expressions at times.

He walks into Joseph Mitchell’s office to read mail and to collect money for the Joe Gould Fund, only to probably spend it on more alcohol for himself. He continues to create an image of himself through his words and another image of himself through his actions. He isn’t picking out of the dumpster because he is well known enough for someone to buy him a drink or some food. For that reason, he is living the highlife-lowlife.