The Literature of Rebellion

The voice of dissent in contemporary American Literature and Society.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Subtitled ‘A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream’ is a 1972 novel by Hunter S. Thompson, illustrated by Ralph Steadman. The book is a roman a clef, rooted in autobiographical incidents. First published as two-parts in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971, and as a book in 1972.

Las Vegas is the background for Thompson’s views on the American Dream and a retrospective look at the counter-culture movement of the 1960s.

Hunter S. Thompson American author and journalist, he developed his own brand of ‘new journalism’... Gonzo! A style of journalism where reporters involve themselves in the action to such a degree that they become central figures of their stories. Known for his use of alcohol and illegal drugs; a love of firearms and an iconoclastic contempt for authoritarianism.

Hunter S. Thompson is quoted as saying… “I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me”.

Gonzo Journalism

A style that is written without claims of objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story via a first-person narrative. The term comes from a comment on Thompson’s article ‘The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved’, for the Scanlan's Monthly (June 1970), calling it “pure Gonzo journalism.”

The ‘Gonzo Fist’ first used in 1970.

“While Tom Wolfe mastered the technique of being a fly on the wall, Thompson mastered the

art of being a fly in the ointment.”

Gonzo in Fear and Loathing Based on William Faulkner's idea that “the best fiction is far more true than any kind of journalism - and the best journalists have always known this".

Thompson blended the techniques of fictional story-telling and journalism. Later, Thompson wrote, “I found myself imposing an essentially fictional framework on what began as a piece of straight/crazy journalism". For example, the novel describes Duke attending the motorcycle race and the narcotics convention in a few days' time; the actual events occurred a month apart.

Overview of the Novel Thompson used his own experiences to write the novel. In March and April 1971, he took two trips to Las Vegas with attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta. During and after, he wrote a story based on their real life experiences during the trips they took together.

The novel has no clear narrative, but instead is a surreal trip, full of fantastical drug-induced hallucinations. This makes it difficult to distinguish between the dream and reality, between real events and imagined events.

The Themes of the Novel The American Dream: A main motif and metaphor in the book. Las Vegas represents the worst of America. The blind consumerism. All Thompson finds is sickness, and a distaste for living. A vulgar ugliness, that he sees as American mainstream culture. The 1960s Counter-Culture: The movement that Thompson was part of in the mid-60s has gone. Ebbed away! In a few short years, the ideas that they could change the world has been shown to be empty ideals of a few young people high on drugs. Lost Idealism and Drugs: Thompson says his drug use (unlike Timothy Leary’s drug use) is intended to render him a mess; that he is the poster boy for a generation of “permanent cripples, failed seekers...;” their erratic behaviour depicts the restless failure his generation feels.

Characters in the Novel

Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson): A magazine journalist and uses different identities through out the whole book. He is the narrator of the tale. He is a disillusioned idealist, a product of the 60’s who finds it difficult to resign himself to the 70’s.

There are really only two main characters in the book, and neither of them say their ‘real’ names during the whole of the book.

Dr. Gonzo (The Attorney): A half-crazed 300 pound Samoan, whose drug-induced frenzies give even Duke pause for thought. Thompson based Gonzo on friend Oscar Zeta Acosta.

Thompson and Acosta in a photo taken in 1971. The time the novel was written.

Who is Raoul Duke? Raoul Duke is the name Thompson used in many of his stories, novels, and articles. ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ was first published under the name of Duke.

Hunter S. Thompson is quoted as saying… “ I’m never sure which one people want me to be [Thompson or Duke], and sometimes they conflict... ”.

He is portrayed as a cynical, eccentric hedonist, who does and says things Thompson himself could not always admit to doing. He first appeared in Thompson’s 1967 book about Hell’s Angels.

The Movie Adaptation A 1998 film directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro. The movie was a failure at the box-office when first released, but has since become a cult classic.

Fear and Loathing… ... On the Campaign Trail ‘72. A collection of articles covering the 1972 presidential campaign. First published in Rolling Stone during ‘72 and in book form in 1973. One of the first pieces of political journalism, to really delve behind the scenes of the system of electing a new president of the United States.

George McGovern’s campaign manager, said despite its embellishments it represented “the least factual, most accurate account” of the election.

Where the Buffalo Roam A 1980 film starring Bill Murray depicts Thompson's rise to fame in the 1970s and his relationship with his friend and attorney Acosta. Thompson's obituary for Acosta, from Rolling Stone in October 1977, “The Banshee Screams for Buffalo Meat“, serves as the basis of the film. Though other works were drawn on. Thompson himself served as ‘executive consultant’ on the film.

Thompson’s Suicide Thompson died at his home Owl Farm in Colorado, on February 20th 2005, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. What was described as a suicide note written to his wife, Anita, was later published by Rolling Stone magazine.

“No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted.

Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun - for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your (old) age. Relax - This won’t hurt.”