Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities
Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities is an entertaining, amusing, yet serious story. It sheds light on the imperfections of man and says a lot about human nature, mostly negative. In the following paper, I’ll discuss some of Wolfe’s underlying themes and try to interpret what he wants the reader to take away from his book. Some of the things I’ll talk about are class roles, the perception of ethnicity and race, money issues, self image, and lastly women’s’ issues.We’ll start off with the subject of class roles and differences. Sherman’s ride through the Bronx is one of the best displays of these roles and differences. Here, a rich white couple is utterly lost in the worst part of the Bronx. They are driving a $48,000 Mercedes absolutely scared out of there minds. Sherman is in such fear of the locals he refuses to stay stopped at red lights because he thinks he might be attacked. The actions of Sherman and Maria prove how far apart the social classes in America really are. Two people from the upper class can’t even feel normal driving through a part of a lower class neighborhood. The separation between rich and poor is incredible. The conversation between Reverend Bacon, Moody, and Fiske also correctly portrays the class ga . . .
” One of the finest examples of self perception occurs during a work day for Sherman at Pierce & Pierce. Wolfe writes, “Those powerful deltoids, those massive sloping trapezii…they looked deflated. Wolfe touches on women’s issues occasionally during the text. Kramer’s coworkers Andriutti and Caughey say, “Did you know that Jewish guys – all have one faggot gene. He flexes his muscles, and makes it a point to look tough and bored so they won’t harm him. It's one of the few times Sherman actions shows he has a heart in the story. In basically every scene Wolfe describes how expensive the cars, hotels, clothing, and other things are. Bacon comments to Fiske and Moody, “If it was your son, they wouldn’t do what they did. ” The reverend’s argument is completely true. He feels that Judy almost isn’t a human being. ” They go on to ask Kramer who happens to be Jewish, “Tell the truth. Three young black males enter the car Kramer is sitting in and start to walk towards the other side. In response to Judy questioning why Sherman called the house asking for Maria he says, “And she has the gall to cause him grief over a telephone call!” Once again, total neglect for her feelings. The first example is when Sherman contemplates the role of his wife Judy. Because Sherman has the inflated self image he feels he has the right to confront Arguello and demand he goes back to work.
Common topics in this essay:
Fiske Moody, Kramer Andy, Master Universe, Bonfire Vanities, Racing Forum, Moody Fiske, Italian Irish, Harassing Jews, Sherman Maria, Ferdinand Arguello, lower class, ill talk, self esteem, master universe, upper class, self image, rich poor, italian irish, fiske moody, roles differences, |
Acceptance Essays
