Although Nathanael West’s novel The Day of the Locust did not receive much attention when published in 1939, it is today considered one of the best and most revealing novels about Hollywood. Its reviews are outstanding and it has therefore become one of the landmarks in American writing. The Day of the Locust demonstrates the fragility of the American Dream and presents it from various perspectives. It points out the cruel world of film industry using devices of irony and satire. Therefore it resembles a “nightmare vision of humanity destroyed by its obsession with film”. West took the title of the novel from the Bible. In Revelation, people turn into locusts in order to follow their aim of destroying the whole world. They do not kill immediately, though, but only sting and hurt in order to let their victims die slowly. These locusts can be compared to the film industry in Hollywood which also exploits and slowly kills its people. Besides, in the Bible Jeremiah prophesies a necessary ending of the world which ought to lead mankind to a new life and a rebirth. In the novel, this image is taken up again. This aspect will be thoroughly discussed later, though. The concept of apocalypse can be found throughout the novel and beside violence and decadence, the devaluation of love is a prominent theme, too. West illustrates the moral decay of characters on the fringe of the entertainment industry, that are Homer Simpson, Faye Greener and Tod Hackett. Each character has come to California seeking fame or health in the shining city Los Angeles, and each suffers from his or her own history of desperation and shattered dreams. Producers had already thought about turning West’s novel into a film in the early 1950’s. As they feared that most of the satirical view would get lost, however, the film was not shot until 1974, when the famous director John Schlesinger committed himself to the adaptation. [...] This survey focuses on the translation from novel to film, compares and contrasts differences, and reveals the different perspectives of the characters. Furthermore, it will both examine the use of film techniques in Schlesinger’s adaptation and the meaning of symbolism in the film. Last but not least, a few commonly invoked critical viewpoints of the film will be discussed.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Story and protagonists in The Day of the Locust
- 3. Criticism of the film
- 3.1 Lack of satirical elements
- 3.2 Loss of Tod's narrative point of view
- 3.3 Film cannot criticise film industry
- 3.4 The end of the film
- 4. Comparison of novel and film
- 4.1 The Battle of Waterloo
- 4.2 Harry Greener and the faith-healer
- 4.3 Homer's hands
- 5. Film techniques
- 5.1 Sound as a device for connecting scenes
- 5.2 Repetition and symbolism
- 5.2.1 Rose
- 5.2.2 Water
- 5.2.3 Red lips
- 5.2.4 Mirror
- 5.2.5 Colours
- 5.3 Light and shadow
- 5.4 Film within a film
- 6. The change of order in the film
Objectives and Key Themes
This survey examines the adaptation of Nathanael West's novel *The Day of the Locust* into John Schlesinger's 1974 film. It compares and contrasts the novel and film, analyzing differences in presentation, particularly regarding satire and the protagonist's perspective. The study also explores the film's use of techniques and symbolism. Finally, it addresses common criticisms leveled against the film adaptation. * The translation of satire from novel to film. * Comparison of narrative perspectives in the novel and film. * Analysis of film techniques employed by Schlesinger. * Examination of symbolism in the film. * Critical evaluation of the film adaptation.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Nathanael West's *The Day of the Locust* and its status as a significant novel about Hollywood, highlighting its critique of the American Dream and the film industry through irony and satire. It draws parallels between the biblical locusts and the destructive nature of Hollywood, foreshadowing themes of apocalypse, violence, decadence, and the devaluation of love. The chapter also provides background on the novel's adaptation into a film by John Schlesinger in 1974, noting its cast and directorial approach, and linking Schlesinger's thematic focus on "lost beings" to the novel's protagonist, Tod Hackett. The chapter concludes by outlining the survey's objectives: to compare the novel and film, examine film techniques, analyze symbolism, and discuss critical viewpoints. 2. Story and protagonists in The Day of the Locust: This chapter introduces the main characters and their roles within the narrative. Tod Hackett, the aspiring artist, acts as both observer and participant, uncovering the dark underbelly of Hollywood's glamorous facade. Faye Greener, the aspiring actress, embodies superficiality and manipulation, exploiting others to advance her career. Homer Simpson, an outsider seeking health and solace, represents those disillusioned and exploited by the system. The chapter sets the stage by establishing the contrasting perspectives of these characters and their experiences within the corrupt world of Hollywood. 3. Criticism of the film: This chapter addresses criticisms of Schlesinger's film adaptation. The first point of contention focuses on the perceived loss of satirical elements in the transition from novel to screen. While acknowledging initial difficulties in translating satire to film, the chapter argues that the film effectively incorporates satire through scenes like the cockfight, highlighting the violence and competition within Hollywood society. The final riot scene is presented as a powerful example of the film's satirical success, visually representing the destruction of Hollywood's illusions and the breakdown of social tolerance. A second major criticism concerns the loss of Tod's narrative point of view, arguing that the film’s audience lacks direct access to his thoughts as it is presented in the novel. However, the chapter counters that the film cleverly conveys Tod's perspective through visual and auditory techniques, especially during the riot scene. Finally, the chapter refutes the claim that the film fails to criticize the film industry, highlighting Schlesinger's depiction of the industry's dark side.Keywords
American Dream, Hollywood, film industry satire, narrative perspective, film techniques, symbolism, Tod Hackett, Faye Greener, Homer Simpson, adaptation, criticism, apocalypse, violence, decadence, disillusionment.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Day of the Locust - Novel and Film Adaptation
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Nathanael West's novel "The Day of the Locust" and its 1974 film adaptation by John Schlesinger. It analyzes the novel and film, comparing their narrative perspectives, thematic elements, and use of cinematic techniques. The document includes a table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The document explores several key themes, including the critique of the American Dream, the satirical portrayal of the Hollywood film industry, the comparison of narrative perspectives in the novel and film, the analysis of film techniques employed by Schlesinger, and the examination of symbolism within the film adaptation. It also addresses common criticisms of the film adaptation.
What are the main criticisms of the film adaptation discussed?
The document addresses several criticisms of Schlesinger's film adaptation, including the perceived loss of satirical elements, the alteration of Tod Hackett's narrative point of view, and the claim that the film fails to effectively criticize the film industry. The document then provides counterarguments to these criticisms.
How does the document compare the novel and the film?
The document compares the novel and film by analyzing differences in their presentation of satire, narrative perspectives (particularly Tod Hackett's), and the use of film techniques and symbolism. Specific examples from both the novel and film are used to illustrate these comparisons.
What film techniques are analyzed in the document?
The analysis of film techniques includes the use of sound to connect scenes, repetition and symbolism (e.g., rose, water, red lips, mirror, colors), light and shadow, and the use of "film within a film." These techniques are examined in relation to their contribution to the film's overall meaning and effect.
Who are the main characters discussed?
The main characters discussed are Tod Hackett (the aspiring artist and narrator in the novel), Faye Greener (the aspiring actress), and Homer Simpson (an outsider seeking solace). The document analyzes their roles and perspectives within both the novel and the film adaptation.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured with an introduction, a table of contents outlining the chapters, a section detailing the objectives and key themes, chapter summaries providing an overview of each chapter's content, and finally a list of keywords relevant to the analysis.
What are the main objectives of this analysis?
The main objectives are to compare and contrast the novel and film adaptation, analyze the film's use of techniques and symbolism, and address common criticisms leveled against the film adaptation. Specifically, it examines the translation of satire from novel to film, compares narrative perspectives, and critically evaluates the film adaptation.
- Quote paper
- Julia Deitermann (Author), 2001, Nathanael West and John Schlesinger: "The Day of the Locust" - A Survey of the Translation from Novel to Film, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/61115
