Paper Summary:

This paper relates to "Miss Lonelyhearts"and "The Day of the Locust" by Nathanael West. The paper centers on the escape from reality of the characters,and the comments that West makes on the American culture through his works. The painting that Tod never completes and the comments of Shrike are both discussed as West's method of interpreting the social order.

From the Paper:

"In the time period of the novel, Miss Lonleyhearts, by Nathanael West the characters have suffered the onslaught of the Great Depression. Many of the readers of the Miss Lonelyhearts column write to him, although they know he is a man, discussing elements of their lives that focus on the harshness of reality. The noseless girl, the would-be suicide, and Miss Lonelyhearts' own theory that Christ is unacceptable in the world, are all reminders that what is real in their time is unrelentingly painful. Therefore, Shrike mocks the readers' pain, as well as Miss Lonelyhearts Christianity, and talks about escape. West writes of Shrike's mockery, Soul of Miss L., glorify me Body of Miss L., nourish me Blood of Miss L., intoxicate me Tears of Miss L., wash me...(1) The type of escape that Shrike contends exists does not constitute physical departure from the world."

Visitors who viewed this Book Review also liked these:

• Analytical Essay # 117338 : "The Unreliable Narrator and "The Remains of the Day"
• Book Review # 44669 : "The Day Of The Locust"."
• Analytical Essay # 7597 : "The Great Gatsby" and the Fall of The American Dream"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: