Sunday, June 20, 2010
Reading Response: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was a particularly enthralling view into the drug culture of the 1960's and 70's. He shows what its like to be just another victim of the drug wave and how it runs your life. The occasional street user becomes the avid junkie losing their grip on reality. Thompson floats throughout the story at times losing control of the situation and his Samoan attorney while attempting to find their American dream. After abusing the locals and running up every last bit of credit they had, Thompson and his attorney begin to realize that this dream is unattainable. They were sitting in the bar at the Circus Circus riding the vortex along the main nerve and were unable to attain their feeling of nirvana. This is a cruel and realistic look at how everyday people have dreams crushed whether its from something as extreme as a death or not getting into that dream school that you wanted to go to and realizing that what you wanted for your life is not possible. I am extremely fond of the book, however I had already seen the movie numerous times and watched interviews of Thompson so I was far from surprised after reading about his dastardly deeds. I love the relaxed morals that Thompson exhibits throughout the book towards drugs and breaking the law. Although I find such behavior entertaining after witnessing acts like Thompson shows throughout the book it makes me not want to act in this way. I personally do not partake in this lifestyle partially because I have studied the consequences of living in this manner and do not wish to waste away what few working brain cells I have left.
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Thompson was out of control in the book that is for sure, but like you said, it doesn't make me want to get ripped. It's entertaining, no doubt, but how does a person go that far. I'm down for doing something spontaneous and slightly out of control, but Thompson went far beyond recreational drug use. I think your right about the about saving some brain cells, I'll leave the acid and mescaline for the gutter punks.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy reading about the effects of drugs, more of a way to experience them without doing or trying them. I feel this is the safest way to go. These drugs obviously have incredible gripping power on people's lives and by seeing their effects its easy to laugh but also refuse to do the drugs because you see what it does to those who use. I have read the autobiography of Slash from Guns N Roses and he was a huge heroin addict. It completely consumed his life. By reading these drug tales it makes it much easier to stay away, by reading Ive already basically experienced it.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the beauty of the film is that it lets you experience the trip without doing the drugs. My brother who has done some of the drugs mentioned in the book quite extensively says the film's portrayal is pretty accurate, and that he feels high watching the film even when he hasn't been on anything. That's how I felt watching the film the first time. You get sucked into this altered reality that makes you feel kinda sick, especially when Dr. Gonzo starts vomiting everywhere. Thompson isn't trying to glorify anything. He pretty much presents all the dirty details. Again, though, it's a metaphor. This quest for the American Dream makes him just as sick as the drugs.He sees that search turning people into monsters the same way the drugs do. "Still humping the American Dream."
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