Will's Kids -- Bailes

[J.D. P. Lafrance]

Will's Kids -- Bailes

Much of the modern American literature we have studied is chock full of
references to commercial and pop culture.  Pynchon, in particular, along with
David Foster Wallace, Mark Leyner, Robert Coover, and even Michael Chabon, have
built their books out of these references like sculptors creating art from soft
drink cans.  It is difficult to tell whether the authors delight in them or
whether they are trying to overwhelm the reader in order to demonstrate how
insensitive we have become.  Might part of their message be to "get over"
commercialism, stop whining, and enjoy what you can about America because its
the best weUve got?  Are they trying to build a unique American culture out of
the references, one which everyone can relate to because everyone is a consumer?
 Or, are the pop culture references merely hip, amusing evidence of The
Post-modern Way?     
	
-- Elana Bailes



I think the reason that Pynchon, Wallace and others refer to popular culture so
much in their books is because when you're talking about a country so young as
America is, they really don't have ancient myths and legends to fall back on,
like, say England or France which is steeped in tradition. So, things like
Elvis, James Dean, Kerouac, etc. are the myths and legends that they can work
with. They are a part of popular mythology.

bfn,
JDL