Day of the Locust free essay sample

An examination of Nathanael Wests Day of the Locust and how it cleverly uses the relationship of three young people to speak out against the false dreams found in Hollywood movies. This is an essay on Day of the Locust, a novel that criticizes Hollywood for creating movies that promise impossible dreams. It examines how Todd Hacketts and Homer Simpsons relationship with Faye Greener contributes to the novels project of criticizing the Hollywood film industry. The paper provides a brief summary of the novel and then examines the relationships between this romantic trio. Tod has come to Hollywood as a recruit from the Yale School of Fine Arts to work as a set and costume designer for National Films. As the novel opens, he has only been in Hollywood for three months and is still in awe of the people and the city. Tod views the architectural landscape as well as the movie population as masquerading life, not genuine, merely fronting a facade of illusion. We will write a custom essay sample on Day of the Locust or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He begins to take notice of those who stand around on street corners, the wanna-bees who have become bitter and disillusioned with time, waiting for their big break into world of glamor and fame. Although his friends from college see his position as a sellout, Tod sees it as an opportunity to study the culture and create his masterpiece. His artistic eye allows for visual detail throughout the story, while his intellectual status allows for criticisms of the various characters and interactions. His superior attitude contributes to the tension created in the story line, as Tod appears to be a non-participant and positions himself as above the others, thinking himself as more enlightened. However, eventually he becomes just as enthralled and caught-up in the Hollywood scene as the others (West 1983).