Love in L.A. and ?M? is for Moon Among Other Things :: essays research papers

For Jake and Alfred, the manlike characters from Love in L.A. and M is for Moon Among Other Things, respectively, reality is removed from their perception of the good life. Both men dream of living quite a differently from the one they use up been leading, yet neither deserve what they desire. Jake and Alfred argon a true example of getting what one deserves.While the situations atomic number 18 very dissimilar, the dreams and desires are very common, stereotypical fantasies. Jake conjures up a correct automobile in his mind, along with a sheik lifestyle to keep up it. Alfred shares secret, sham conversations with Marilyn Monroe in his head.While wasting away in slow traffic in Los Angeles, Jake seeps into his protest little world, imagining all the joys of having the perfect car. initially this is understandable as he needed something disclose than this 58 Buick he drove. (Gilb 628) But the fantasy goes beyond a newer, safer car with a better radio and heater. He also w anted to have crushed smooth interior with electric controls, which would require him to lead an entirely different lifestyle. (Gilb 628) What Jake wanted was to be wealthy, surrounded by loose women, and enjoy the freedom that bills could buy. Rather than sitting in traffic on a day by day basis, only to toil long hours at a useless job. sort of of working as an underpaid peon, he could revel in exotic colognes, plush, tenebrific nightclubs, maitais and daquiris, necklaced ladies in satin gowns, misty and sexy like in a tequila ad. (Gilb 628)Alfred suffers from his own delusions as well. Understandably, he is tired, bored, and perhaps annoyed at the monotony of quiescence next to the corresponding woman for so many years, for working the same old job just about as long, and also drudge through a gruesome daily commute. Just as Jake had form his ultimate fantasy, so had Alfred is, a Smooth-as-Silk Beauty as Fast as they Come. (Stoppard 942) While the reference refers to an a utomobile advertisement, it can also be seen as his ideal dream of being close to Marilyn Monroe. Alfred is farther gone into his fictitious world than Jake, however. The middle aged man took his desire to a near-insane level, create entire conversations with her. After hearing of the actress untimely demise, Alfred explains to her spirit that she shouldnt have trusted them, theyre all rotten. (Stoppard 944) He may be referencing the fans, the reporters, her employers, or her lovers, but whomever Alfred is speaking of is irrelevant.