The novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream was an interesting novel to say the least. The main characters go on a deranged journey to the center of Las Vegas in search of this psychological need for the “American Dream”. Yet, this dream is never truly explained beyond the point of the main characters lust for something greater. The author of the novel, Hunter S. Thompson does take on a perspective of Gonzo Journalism, which is actually mentioned throughout the novel and plays a key aspect as well. The main character Raoul Duke, and his attorney Dr. Gonzo take off on this spiritual journey through the desert on a trek to find something greater in life. The author provides key themes, symbols,…show more content… They are seen on numerous counts. One certain symbol seen within the novel includes the city of Las Vegas itself. It represents the amount of freedom they take a part of and all that they try to accomplish within the city. An example of this freedom includes “Tooling along the main drag on a Saturday night in Las Vegas, two good old boys in a fireapple-red convertible . . . stoned, ripped, twisted . . . Good People.” (Thompson, 29). Las Vegas is not only the setting, but also a symbol that represents the advantage they take upon the free city. Another symbol seen throughout the novel is the “Great Red Shark” a 1970’s red Chevy convertible. This car does too represent freedom, but it leans towards more the key of the city. It’s the item that took Duke and Dr. Gonzo from confinement of their normal lives as a journalist and a Lawyer, to the free city that they took advantage of. An example of this would be “I glanced over at my attorney, but he seemed oblivious-watching the road, driving our Great Red Shark along at a hundred and ten or so.” (Thompson, 5). The car symbolizes the road to freedom and the key to get to the city that offers the two main characters oppurtunity. The authors use of the theme and symbolism greater set the tone of the novel. Thompson uses the symbolism in an easy understanding
