Locust

Destruction comes in many different forms. In Nathanael West’s novel The Day of the Locust, destruction is a common theme that occurs throughout the course of the novel. The main character, Tod Hackett, paints a picture depicting the destruction of Hollywood and the world of film. Tod’s vulgar fantasies about Faye demonstrate the destruction of one’s mind, body and spirit. The bloody cockfight demonstrates the destruction of humanity. The decay of morals and values eventually leads to the destruction of society and the world of Hollywood. Tod Hackett, a young aspiring artist, paints a picture of Hollywood under fire, entitled The Burning of Los Angeles. The painting is described to be Los Angeles in the center of a massacre, representing…

The Day of the Locust is a novel written by Nathanael West, it was first published in 1950 by New Directions Co. The Day of the Locust is a novel explaining, in great detail the way of life in hollywood in the 1930’s. Tod Hackett has been in Hollywood for three months, since he was recruited and hired by telegram from the Yale School of Fine Arts. He observes the people of Hollywood and divides them into two classes; the first class is made up of the people who seem to be coming from or going to…

strong gods, the tools they’re represented by resemble more of farming tools rather than war like tools. The farming tools shown – such as a ho or rake – symbolize that the strength and powers of these gods have no limitations. The gods of the religion not only provide physical strength, but they provide strength in whatever aspect it’s needed, whether it is physical strength, or strength in terms of agriculture and crops. Within Mbiti’s African Religion and Philosophy it tells of how the gods…

all around the world and demonstrates that eating bugs should not be seen as a gross activity – “Australian Aborigines like witchetty grubs”, “Tenebrio molitor is factory-farmed in China; in Venezuela, children roast tarantulas.” (43) On the contrary, bug-eating should be seen as “both a gastronomic experience and a matter of survival” and as a more “environmentally friendly alternative for the production of animal protein”. Goodyear criticizes the fact that instead of finding a way to promote…

The Dark Side of Hollywood Usually Hollywood is made out to be all about glitz and glamour. In Nathanael West’s book entitled The Day of the Locust, West explores the dark side of Hollywood we normally do not see. He goes about this exploration in a dystopian and grotesque manner. The very first reference to this grotesque and dystopian society occurs within the first chapter of the book. Nothing seems to be as it appears at first. “The fat lady in the yachting cap was going shopping, not…

5. What percent is your internal locus and what percent is your external locus? My internal locust is 61% and my external locust is 36%. a. Describe a situation where you felt you had control over an event in your life. Being able to control my life is important to me because I want to make decision that will help me, not hurt me. When I play video games, I have complete control over what I am doing in the game, and what I’m doing in real life. Another instance where I had control…

The Day of the Locust and Frankenstein are uniquely telling the same story, the story of Hollywood. The characters in both the novel and the film share great similarities, as Sarver explains with Homer and the monster. A very similar comparison can be drawn between Faye and Dr. Frankenstein. Their relationship is dependent upon Sarver’s parallel, because Faye is to Homer as Frankenstein is to the monster. The connection between Faye and the doctor lies in their utter disregard for those around…

The Day of the Locust, by Nathaniel West, explores the harsh realities and effects of living in Los Angeles. West uses the degradation of his main characters as his example of how Los Angeles changes people. Through the lives and experiences of Tod, and Homer, the readers see the ways the city alters one’s characteristics from one that is greatly ambitious, into one that is extremely arrogant. Additionally, the novel highlights the fallacy of how Los Angeles is known as the “land of dreams”.…

Within the novels The Day of the Locust and The Grapes of Wrath, both authors create meaning through the use of symbols, metaphor and allegory. Both novels, The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, were published in 1939, a year of high tension both within America and the world on a whole. Nazism seemed ready to sweep through Europe, Communist Russia looked an unlikely ally and, within its own boarders, America was still recovering from both the…

Perception in “The Bounty from Locust Jack” by Jordan Abel Jordan Abel’s dark, yet enlightening short story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” showcases society’s blindness towards those in need, and society’s biased perception of other. Through the narrator’s description his visions, the clarity and contrast of those around him, and the situations he puts himself into, the text explore the imbalances of society. A central theme of the story “The Bounty from Locust Jack” is that worldly desires can…