In Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Thompson restages the road trip formula of Kerouac’s On the Road to present a new era of America. The American Dream has evolved into a term to describe the American way of life, in general but is far more complex. The American Dream always has a unique meaning for each individual, which is why even until today there is no universally accepted definition. Although this concept has no universal definition, nearly all in America are perpetually engaged in their own form of slavery to meet their perception of the American Dream. The first thing that touches one when reading Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas what a sad story it is. It is an accurate description of the struggle to meet the American Dream, which often leads to dead ends. Duke does not find what he is sent to Las Vegas to find, he never finds the American Dream, and by the end, when his plane out of Vegas lands in Colorado, he is so addled he literally doesn’t know where he is. Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas explores the counter-culture movement of the 60s (beat generation) and declares the American Dream dead as its modern day meaning has been altered. This is a very powerful statement to be made at the time it was in exposing the fictitious American Dream. The 1960s was a time where people believed in hard work and commitment to reach their perception of the dream. This book follows is the story of Thompson …show more content…
For many, the American Dream is associated with becoming wealthy, and the ability to achieve anything if one works hard enough. The saying “from rags to riches” is a way to describe this association. For others, the American Dream extends beyond materialism, as it is journey of simplicity and fulfillment in life. The American Dream is also perceived as America being the