Love in L.A.
Gilb
The author sets up a typical day in the commuting life of a Los Angles resident. With the “motionless traffic” and the “Grey of concrete, and smog” we get an picture of the bumper to bumper traffic that so vividly represents L.A. Gilb’s use of tone and the atmosphere that surrounds the protagonist (Jake) sets the stage for the reader to better understand Jake’s wishful day dreaming. He was caught up in his idea of what life could or should be like. He dreamed a lot about the things that he wanted in life. The “exotic colognes, plush, dark nightclubs.” He imagined so many different possibilities but didn’t have the motivation or really any idea of how to get there. He was a dreamer and wanted to be something he was not. He also does not seem found of work, but knows it is important.
Jakes ’58 Buick with no radio and no flashy velvet interior, absent of electronic controls, and no heater or A/C for his comfort. This represents the way his life is going. Out of order. Marianas Toyota was new and fragile. It had barely been broken in. Just like her, young and naïve.
I like the conclusion that you came up in symbolizing their stages of life with their cars. I was thinking of Jake being the dreamer of opportunities that have came and gone. Mariana being the symbol of youth and possibilities
ReplyDeleteI think the title should be re-named Lust in L.A. because Jake was just infatuated with her. Young and immature with a hint of narcissim. She was just as you said, "young and naive."
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