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Mythic Mailer in An American Dream: Difference between revisions
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Before I begin, the mythic aspects of the plot should be noted. ''<u>An American Dream</u>'' follows Rojack through a violence ridden thirty-two hours as he searches for a way back to internal and external harmony. The novel's action takes place during the roughly one day-and-a-half following Rojack's murder of his wife. Mailer makes Rojack a rather ironic hero at the start. He is a former WWII war hero who has become a man of some stature in his community. Through his accomplishments while attaining the status of congressman, professor, and television celebrity, Rojack has attained the materialistic success associated with the American dream. He has plenty of money, friends, and possessions. However, at a party, Rojack, age forty-four, suddenly comes face to face with his lack of authentic heroic status and the futility of his existence. Through the voice of the moon, he hears the call of the true voice of nature which leads to a higher existence, but an existence that demands his sacrifice of the trappings of the American dream as he has accepted it. To add to Rojack's difficulties and confusion, the voice of the moon is dualistic. At one point, its message appears to encourage his suicide (his own inner voice tells him that his life is a fraud); at another point, its words seem to promise him unlimited spiritual fulfillment. Rojack hearkens to this second call which beckons him towards a quest--the pursuit of an alternative American dream--the unlimited opportunity to live an Edenic existence which transcends the innate corruption of human nature. | Before I begin, the mythic aspects of the plot should be noted. ''<u>An American Dream</u>'' follows Rojack through a violence ridden thirty-two hours as he searches for a way back to internal and external harmony. The novel's action takes place during the roughly one day-and-a-half following Rojack's murder of his wife. Mailer makes Rojack a rather ironic hero at the start. He is a former WWII war hero who has become a man of some stature in his community. Through his accomplishments while attaining the status of congressman, professor, and television celebrity, Rojack has attained the materialistic success associated with the American dream. He has plenty of money, friends, and possessions. However, at a party, Rojack, age forty-four, suddenly comes face to face with his lack of authentic heroic status and the futility of his existence. Through the voice of the moon, he hears the call of the true voice of nature which leads to a higher existence, but an existence that demands his sacrifice of the trappings of the American dream as he has accepted it. To add to Rojack's difficulties and confusion, the voice of the moon is dualistic. At one point, its message appears to encourage his suicide (his own inner voice tells him that his life is a fraud); at another point, its words seem to promise him unlimited spiritual fulfillment. Rojack hearkens to this second call which beckons him towards a quest--the pursuit of an alternative American dream--the unlimited opportunity to live an Edenic existence which transcends the innate corruption of human nature. | ||
Rojack's wife Deborah is the first obstacle in his path. He realizes that his marriage to her has a Faustian taint. She is the Mephistopheles to his Faust. Sensing that her destruction is necessary for him to start down his new path, he strangles her for the same reasons the ancient heroes slew their dragons, then throws her body over the balcony in order to make it look like a suicide. Rojack describes her murder as opening the door to a new world for himself: "I had a view of what was on the other side of the door, and heaven was there" {{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=31}}. Challenges of mythic proportions begin immediately after the murder. Down on the street, Deborah's body has become partially wedged beneath the front tire of a gangster's car. The gangster, Eddie Ganucci, is wanted by the police. He has the opportunity to walk away in the confusion, but, superstitiously in fear of a curse, refuses to leave a dead woman's body. Both Ganucci and Rojack voluntarily go down to the police headquarters where they are individually questioned about their alleged crimes. | Rojack's wife Deborah is the first obstacle in his path. He realizes that his marriage to her has a Faustian taint. She is the Mephistopheles to his Faust. Sensing that her destruction is necessary for him to start down his new path, he strangles her for the same reasons the ancient heroes slew their dragons, then throws her body over the balcony in order to make it look like a suicide. Rojack describes her murder as opening the door to a new world for himself: "I had a view of what was on the other side of the door, and heaven was there"{{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=31}}. Challenges of mythic proportions begin immediately after the murder. Down on the street, Deborah's body has become partially wedged beneath the front tire of a gangster's car. The gangster, Eddie Ganucci, is wanted by the police. He has the opportunity to walk away in the confusion, but, superstitiously in fear of a curse, refuses to leave a dead woman's body. Both Ganucci and Rojack voluntarily go down to the police headquarters where they are individually questioned about their alleged crimes. | ||
The precinct offices are an institutional place where, the detective Leznicki tells Rojack, "'Nobody ever tells truth ... It's impossible. Even the molecules in the air are full of lies"'{{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=83}}. Ironically, Rojack, who has just begun his quest for authenticity, must face his first big crisis--the incriminating moral judgement of the prevailing social order of his time--by lying about his actions. He is tempted to give in to the voices of the police who accuse him of murder, thus ignoring his own inner voice which encourages him in his battle. He explains his temptation to put himself at the mercy of the police, "Because there was a vast cowardice in me which was ready to make any peace at all" {{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=87}}. Rojack's courage rallies when he glimpses the beautiful blond girl across the room with Ganucci. He sees Cherry as a sign from God to persevere in his quest. | The precinct offices are an institutional place where, the detective Leznicki tells Rojack, "'Nobody ever tells truth ... It's impossible. Even the molecules in the air are full of lies"'{{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=83}}. Ironically, Rojack, who has just begun his quest for authenticity, must face his first big crisis--the incriminating moral judgement of the prevailing social order of his time--by lying about his actions. He is tempted to give in to the voices of the police who accuse him of murder, thus ignoring his own inner voice which encourages him in his battle. He explains his temptation to put himself at the mercy of the police, "Because there was a vast cowardice in me which was ready to make any peace at all" {{sfn|Mailer|1964-65|p=87}}. Rojack's courage rallies when he glimpses the beautiful blond girl across the room with Ganucci. He sees Cherry as a sign from God to persevere in his quest. | ||