Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Andrew Rotsch

Professor Cox

July 14, 2007

Response #5

Finding the Dream

In the novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson does a magnificent job of capturing the readers attention from page one. The book is just what it says on the cover; a story about a journey to the American Dream. However, the characters of Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo are seen through the reader’s eyes as total drug addicts going to Las Vegas to find their American Dream. There are many things about Las Vegas that are very American, which helps in finding their Dream, especially the fact they attend the Mint 400, which according to Duke, is quite an event.

In the book, Raoul Duke says the Mint 400 is even bigger than the Super Bowl. According to most American’s the Super Bowl is one of the most watched and loved sports events each year. Families gather around their television set after church on a Sunday afternoon and watch what is, said to be, quite the American sport. The fact that Raoul even puts the Mint 400 on that level means he is searching in the right area for the American Dream by being at such a prestigious sporting event. Not only does he give it that rank, but it is also American because it is a dirt bike race. There is something about dirt bikes that is quite American; loud motors, fast moving vehicles, all wanting to win. When they are done at the race they go to many other places, but Vegas is the one place where you can accomplish the American Dream with the roll of the dice.

In Vegas you can pull a slot machine, roll a dice, get the right cards, or guess the right number and you could get enough money to live out your life in many different ways. The chances of this happening are not likely, but it is a possibility. For any American Vegas would be a great place to start because of the potential of becoming