Runners and Rebellion in "Salt Fish Girl"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the representation of consumerism in Larissa Lai's novel, "Salt Fish Girl." It specifically shows that Lai uses Pallas runners as a central theme to critique consumerism. The paper argues that Lai's message is ultimately hopeful and optimistic, as she implies that there is hope for the future, despite powerful, evil corporations and the consumerism they promote.

From the Paper:

"Unfortunately, the attempt fails. Yet despite such failures, and despite Miranda's many moments of selling out, the novel retains a sense of hope that individual free will could possibly win out against the power of corporations and technology. For one thing, Miranda manages to establish a relationship with Evie, who is Salt Fish Girl, reincarnated as a run-way clone (Sonia 113) and anti-corporate activist. Once Miranda begins her relationship with Evie, she begins to rebel against the corporate culture. (Previously, she had been primarily indifferent to it.) Most importantly, Miranda keeps striving to be a good person, despite the fact that she fails so many times. Her failures are easy to understand, for the forces stacked against Miranda and Evie are enormous. For example, although Miranda seems to have killed Dr. Flowers, who is the epitome of evil in this warped society, he has already cloned dozens of young versions of himself - each equipped with a pair of Pallas shoes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lai, Larissa. Salt Fish Girl. Toronto: Thomas Allan Publishers, 2002.

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