3 wQuality Novels on Meaning of Life

in a modern, capitalistic society will be addressed, focusing on the topics of alienation, mad deprivation, and lack of time or too much buttoned-d protest stimulation. Moreover, personalities seem to often be at the mercy of society. In modern times we are continu entirelyy bombarded with messages from the media which promulgate into our own sense of identity. Advertising, for example, professes to tell society the way it should look, act, and interact.5 This is particularly obvious in both Less Than Zero and Bright Lights, hulky City in that the characters seems almost caught up in their perceived notions of society.

Further, each region equally seems to shape and mold the characters. In Anywhere But Here Ann and her mother are pressured into forming opinions of the world, and themselves, because of geographical regions.6 The hero in Bright Lights, Big City arrives in brand-new York full of wonder and expectations, but is quickly shown that in the city, one must either adapt or die. In his words, "Once upon a time, you assumed you were very likable . . . You were a good guy. You deserved some of the world's booty . . . After . . . you came to tender York, you began to feel that you were no longer on the outside flavour in."7 And, at the very beginning of Less Than Zero

5 See, for example, Wilson Bryan Key, Subliminal Seduction, (New York: New American Library, 1974).

9 Christopher Lasch, The Culture of Narcissism, (New York: Warner Books, 1979).

house became a symbol to him of all that was lost, of a time when life was simpler, a time when the family meant more, or a time when he could revel in existence Clay instead of covering up who he was with schmaltzy stimulation.15

McInerney, Jay. Bright Lights, Big City. New York: Vintage

17 Ibid., 65. rattling keepingd about her. Finally, he replies, "I don't want to care. If I care about things, it'll just be worse, it'll just be another(prenominal) things to worry about. It's less painful if I don't care."18

Simpson, Mona.Anywhere But Here. New York: Vintage Books,

mother would often pull up to the nut case cream shop, search for change, and ask Ann to go in. When Ann protested, her mother told her that she couldn't maybe go in because "At my age, they expect a char to dress up a little. Remember, I'm the one who has to catch a father for you." Ann defiantly replied that she already had a father, but when questioned by her mother about his whereabouts, she spoke with the sadness of lost puerility and said, "Hell if I know."24

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