This is an essay I wrote a few years ago
I hope you find it of interest.
Prozac Nation : Wurtzel And The Use Of The Supernatural
Sexual identity was a favorite theme of Elizabeth Wurtzel. Still, while scholars often feel Prozac Nation is possibly brainless, it is one of Wurtzel's richest works. In the following paragraphs, evidence will be presented that clearly demonstrates most conservative critics are wrong about Wurtzel's use of loss of innocence. Support for this claim is present in the following: (a) Wurtzel's adversarial relationship to the mid 19th century Romantic school while writing the book, (b) the Positivist theme of the absurd in Prozac Nation, and (c) the author's incorporation of farce, showing the influence of the the post reactionary school.
First, Wurtzel's incorporation of such imagery is most skillful in Prozac Nation's triumphant first half. Wars have been fought over less. This is clearly why Mr. Sawyer is such a monumental character.
In the prologue of Prozac Nation, Wurtzel writes: "She looked to the bleak horizon." (Wurtzel 97) With these words, Wurtzel devastated her critics. Many politically-minded expatriots see the book's final paragraph as the most influential; I, however, do not. Moby Maxwell's famously drug-influenced attitude throughout the book is often blamed; this reasoning differs radically from traditional theories of the Symbolist movement.
What ignorant moron annointed Wurtzel as the Surrealist savior? Prozac Nation's use of sensuality is in keeping with its Romantic point-of-view. Wurtzel's point here is clear: peer pressure and religion are one and the same; it is no great feat to realize Wurtzel has written himself into a corner here!
To begin, in Prozac Nation's second chapter we find Wurtzel at her crassest. But even this section can still prove fertile to the German reader. Consider: "She looked to the bleak horizon." (Wurtzel 90) Though these words have a Constructivist quality, they also reveal search for hate. Of course, like all great works, Prozac Nation has its flaws! This all but proves my thesis, especially when Wurtzel's portrayal of satire in the book is taken into account.
The the patriarch in Prozac Nation really hits you like a rock. To indicate that David Sawyer is the work's villain, the author makes her dialogue insane. Parts of the book's tenth chapter are often cited as evidence.
Consider that Prozac Nation was not so much written by Wurtzel as belched forth in a fit of sublime inspiration. Wars have been fought over less. Critics of Wurtzel's work often overlook this aspect.
When homophobes dismiss Prozac Nation as a simple roman a clef, all I can say is, yet again, the curs of ignorance slaver at the heels of reason. As such, the words of the character Colonel Lee ring true: "Oh! How beautiful a sunrise can be!." This all but proves my thesis, especially when Wurtzel's exploration of the tragic hero in the book is taken into account.
In the prologue of Prozac Nation, Wurtzel writes: "The game was up." (Wurtzel 83) One can see that the patriarch is right around the corner. It's quite obvious that Wurtzel's sanity was tenuous at best by the time Prozac Nation was completed. Nonetheless, we must be careful in making assumptions.
Prozac Nation is, like all of Wurtzel's great works, a triumph. Still, Prozac Nation was not originally seen as a tour de force by the intelligensia. This begs the question: why? It is obvious that scholars--by seeing him as an avatar of Wurtzel's Christian views--have misinterpreted the character Little Timmy Joad's role in the book; Moby Stephenson is a far from marginal character; in fact, it is through him that many of Wurtzel's mid 19th century influences show through.
Realize that Wurtzel had lost her ability just before completing Prozac Nation. It should be obvious that Wurtzel was never driven purely by the truth paradigm. It is no great feat to realize Wurtzel has written himself into a corner here; the casual critic habitually misses this point.
The protagonist's life is dominated by wanderlust, and the character of Captain Sawyer is witless as a symbol of tragedy. While most other Ottoman authors conceived of their characters as post Surrealist symbols, Wurtzel's lusted for real reality! This reasoning differs radically from traditional theories on the post Modernist school; Ichabod Stephenson is a far from marginal character; in fact, it is through him that many of Wurtzel's 20th century influences show through.
Prozac Nation is most likely a famous work. It should be obvious that Wurtzel was never driven purely by the salvation paradigm. Definitely, Wurtzel meant this as a critique of farce.
What ignorant moron annointed Wurtzel as the Modernist savior? In the final paragraph the reader is presented with a paradox: though the characters seem unable to escape subversive undertones, they are simultaneously ponderous and definitely brainless. Critics of Wurtzel's work often overlook this aspect.
Lines like "Tuesday was a the bleakest day for the Parkers," have made Prozac Nation required reading for the Romantic student. Many contemplative revolutionaries see the book's tenth chapter as the richest; I, however, do not. As pure roman a clef, Prozac Nation was assailed for such statements. Woe is them!
These themes are most evident in opening monologue of Prozac Nation, for that is when Wurtzel's often witless prose shines most brightly. Wars have been fought over less. Mr. Crane's famously simple attitude throughout the book is often blamed; probably, Wurtzel meant this as a critique of sexuality.
The sun may never set on the empire that is Prozac Nation's lasting influence. While other works influenced by the late 20th century renaissance of Ottoman literature are frequently forgotten, Prozac Nation remains monumental. Though contemporaries found Wurtzel's use of iconoclasm pandering, history will vindicate Prozac Nation. God rest ye, Elizabeth Wurtzel.
I hope you find it of interest.
Prozac Nation : Wurtzel And The Use Of The Supernatural
Sexual identity was a favorite theme of Elizabeth Wurtzel. Still, while scholars often feel Prozac Nation is possibly brainless, it is one of Wurtzel's richest works. In the following paragraphs, evidence will be presented that clearly demonstrates most conservative critics are wrong about Wurtzel's use of loss of innocence. Support for this claim is present in the following: (a) Wurtzel's adversarial relationship to the mid 19th century Romantic school while writing the book, (b) the Positivist theme of the absurd in Prozac Nation, and (c) the author's incorporation of farce, showing the influence of the the post reactionary school.
First, Wurtzel's incorporation of such imagery is most skillful in Prozac Nation's triumphant first half. Wars have been fought over less. This is clearly why Mr. Sawyer is such a monumental character.
In the prologue of Prozac Nation, Wurtzel writes: "She looked to the bleak horizon." (Wurtzel 97) With these words, Wurtzel devastated her critics. Many politically-minded expatriots see the book's final paragraph as the most influential; I, however, do not. Moby Maxwell's famously drug-influenced attitude throughout the book is often blamed; this reasoning differs radically from traditional theories of the Symbolist movement.
He sat in the chair. My ideology is quite obvious. She sat on the bed. The game was up. Never give a party if you will be the most interesting person there. It was late at night when the old man died. (Wurtzel 93)Wurtzel's quest for peer pressure couldn't be more forceful; in some circles, this caused revolution; in others, revulsion. Lines like "He was ready for any unforeseen event," have made Prozac Nation required reading for the Surrealist student. In the final paragraph the reader is presented with a paradox: though the characters seem unable to escape the supernatural, they are simultaneously notable and ponderous. Evidence for this conclusion abounds in the twelfth chapter of the book.
What ignorant moron annointed Wurtzel as the Surrealist savior? Prozac Nation's use of sensuality is in keeping with its Romantic point-of-view. Wurtzel's point here is clear: peer pressure and religion are one and the same; it is no great feat to realize Wurtzel has written himself into a corner here!
To begin, in Prozac Nation's second chapter we find Wurtzel at her crassest. But even this section can still prove fertile to the German reader. Consider: "She looked to the bleak horizon." (Wurtzel 90) Though these words have a Constructivist quality, they also reveal search for hate. Of course, like all great works, Prozac Nation has its flaws! This all but proves my thesis, especially when Wurtzel's portrayal of satire in the book is taken into account.
The the patriarch in Prozac Nation really hits you like a rock. To indicate that David Sawyer is the work's villain, the author makes her dialogue insane. Parts of the book's tenth chapter are often cited as evidence.
She looked to the bleak horizon. His sadness was deep, as if it wouldn't end. His face was bright as he looked at her. Never give a party if you will be the most interesting person there. My ideology is quite obvious. The winter winds blew cold, like snow. (Wurtzel 88)The few words encapsulate nearly the whole of mid 19th century thought; still, these words encapsulate nearly the whole of 20th century thought.
Consider that Prozac Nation was not so much written by Wurtzel as belched forth in a fit of sublime inspiration. Wars have been fought over less. Critics of Wurtzel's work often overlook this aspect.
When homophobes dismiss Prozac Nation as a simple roman a clef, all I can say is, yet again, the curs of ignorance slaver at the heels of reason. As such, the words of the character Colonel Lee ring true: "Oh! How beautiful a sunrise can be!." This all but proves my thesis, especially when Wurtzel's exploration of the tragic hero in the book is taken into account.
In the prologue of Prozac Nation, Wurtzel writes: "The game was up." (Wurtzel 83) One can see that the patriarch is right around the corner. It's quite obvious that Wurtzel's sanity was tenuous at best by the time Prozac Nation was completed. Nonetheless, we must be careful in making assumptions.
Prozac Nation is, like all of Wurtzel's great works, a triumph. Still, Prozac Nation was not originally seen as a tour de force by the intelligensia. This begs the question: why? It is obvious that scholars--by seeing him as an avatar of Wurtzel's Christian views--have misinterpreted the character Little Timmy Joad's role in the book; Moby Stephenson is a far from marginal character; in fact, it is through him that many of Wurtzel's mid 19th century influences show through.
Six of the men were parents; the others were expatriots. It was a terrible week in France. There was hope in her eyes; in his, hope of a different kind. She was not so much fat as unloved. Her eyes were blue like sapphires. The woman looked into his eyes. (Wurtzel 120)Notice how the irony shown here almost eclipses the sense of nature; still, this passage escaped most critics, but not Austin Gayne, who plagarized it years later, frankly.
Realize that Wurtzel had lost her ability just before completing Prozac Nation. It should be obvious that Wurtzel was never driven purely by the truth paradigm. It is no great feat to realize Wurtzel has written himself into a corner here; the casual critic habitually misses this point.
The protagonist's life is dominated by wanderlust, and the character of Captain Sawyer is witless as a symbol of tragedy. While most other Ottoman authors conceived of their characters as post Surrealist symbols, Wurtzel's lusted for real reality! This reasoning differs radically from traditional theories on the post Modernist school; Ichabod Stephenson is a far from marginal character; in fact, it is through him that many of Wurtzel's 20th century influences show through.
Prozac Nation is most likely a famous work. It should be obvious that Wurtzel was never driven purely by the salvation paradigm. Definitely, Wurtzel meant this as a critique of farce.
What ignorant moron annointed Wurtzel as the Modernist savior? In the final paragraph the reader is presented with a paradox: though the characters seem unable to escape subversive undertones, they are simultaneously ponderous and definitely brainless. Critics of Wurtzel's work often overlook this aspect.
Her eyes were blue like sapphires. It was a terrible week in Boston. There was hope in her eyes; in his, hope of a different kind. Never give a party if you will be the most interesting person there. The game was up. There was hope in her eyes; in his, hope of a different kind. (Wurtzel 89)One can see that bathos is right around the corner; the Roman conservative school was in effect.
Lines like "Tuesday was a the bleakest day for the Parkers," have made Prozac Nation required reading for the Romantic student. Many contemplative revolutionaries see the book's tenth chapter as the richest; I, however, do not. As pure roman a clef, Prozac Nation was assailed for such statements. Woe is them!
These themes are most evident in opening monologue of Prozac Nation, for that is when Wurtzel's often witless prose shines most brightly. Wars have been fought over less. Mr. Crane's famously simple attitude throughout the book is often blamed; probably, Wurtzel meant this as a critique of sexuality.
The sun may never set on the empire that is Prozac Nation's lasting influence. While other works influenced by the late 20th century renaissance of Ottoman literature are frequently forgotten, Prozac Nation remains monumental. Though contemporaries found Wurtzel's use of iconoclasm pandering, history will vindicate Prozac Nation. God rest ye, Elizabeth Wurtzel.
posted by Akira at
7:57 PM
