new ee outline (1) Essays - Counterculture Of The 1960s, Journalism

new ee outline (1) Essays - Counterculture Of The 1960s, Journalism "The best fiction is far more true than any kind of journalism" William Faulkner In what ways and to what extent were Hunter S. Thompson's works influenced by contemporary sociocultural contexts? The purpose of this essay is to analyze various cultural contexts which led to the emergence of the Gonzo Style present in Hunter S. Thompson's times, evaluate their influe nce on his works and to examine various literary tools he used and their intended effects on his readers. Biographical background in the political, social, cultural and personal context Short biography of Hunter S. Thompson as a representative of counterculture Hated Nixon and the values of the "Tea Party" Opponent of the Vietnam War Anti-capitalist Civil Rights Activist Drug legalization activist Supporter of the 2nd Amendment (Appointed himself?) as a representative of the counterculture but was a deviant even by the standards of the movement at the times Critical of some Hippie movements; "drugs for the sake of drugs", "they lacked the artistic depth of the Beats" Was supportive of the Diggers and Levellers movements Social Nihlism? Was in jail for two weeks as a senior in high-school His rich friend got out on bail while he wasn't able to; in his writings he empathized with the lower class, which in his opinion did not have a voice in America Given political, social, cultural and personal (Thompson's) preconditions of the emergence of the Gonzo Style (KDDD) Dissatisfaction with the United States wilful domination A "state of exception" where the government can suspend laws at will based on anything or anyone it deems threatening Social and political tensions around the world Cold War The Prague Spring Vietnam War Critique of the "hilbilly" Understanding the influence the society hasr Civil Rights Act Civil Rights movements African-American Civil Rights Movement Black Panthers Kent State and the Black Panthers and the rebellion that's going on around the nation, and yet here is this old-fashioned Kentucky Derby festival going on. Why did this generation need a new mean of expression? Newfound artistic depth Individual literary tool used by Hunter S. Thompson and their intended effects (FLLV-part I) First-person narrative form which resembles that of literary prose (with fictional characters), rather than that of a reportage Complete immersion of the reader into the literary world Digressions, metaphors, allusions, ellipses, abrupt transitions, and gaps, which model the narrator's feelings of desperation, degradation, and despair Third-person narrative which builds a highly auto-ironic image of himself as a part of the world he describes/creates A generation untouched by the war reaches maturity New movements driven by ideals demand radical change Beatniks Thompson represents an extension of the Beat aesthetic Hippies Glorification of drugs Drugs as a form of protest The use of various stimulants by his protagonists As a provocative tool As a perspective-broadener Characteristics of the Gonzo Style Overlapping themes of sex, violence, drugs, sports and politics Immersion as a literary tool References to public figures Use of sarcasm and/or vulgarity as humour Unorthodox and creative use of English Extreme scrutiny of situations Style is reflected in his characters(Raoul) describes the gradual collapse of the Beatnik movement by following the story of Raoul Duke as Hunter S. Thompson's alter-ego Commitment "to make political writing into an art" Down to earth, doesn't deal in abstract concepts- "postmodern philosopher" Gonzo Style was a one-person literary movement. It aimed to express notions that were always present in our culture, and that were expressed many times before. Why did this generation need a new mean of expression? Newfound artistic depth Conclusion