Hubert Selby Jr.s Requiem For A Dream Essay example

Hubert Selby Jr.s Requiem for a Dream In Selbys 1978 novel Requiem for a Dream each character succumbs to self-gratification, which eventually and inevitably leads to self-destruction. The four main characters, Harry Goldfarb, Sara Goldfarb, Marion, and Tyrone C. Love each suffer from individual addictions, be it their dreams, illegal/legal narcotics, or even television. Ultimately not only their bodies and minds, but their very souls are destroyed by their addictions (Giles 104). Harry, a middle-class addict who is constantly affecting the trust and property of his mother Sara Goldfarb, is in what seems to be a dream-like, drug-induced romance with Marion. The novel begins with Harry taking his mothers television set, this†¦show more content†¦Sara Goldfarb is a lonely old woman. She has an obsession with television, partially because of her addiction to her dream. Sara even goes as far as to give up meals for the television set, and as she is watching she feels emotion for the characters: Â…Sara was so happy for them, then checked her money and realized she would have to go without lunch for a few days, but it was worth it to have the TV set. It wasnt the first time she gave up a meal for her setÂ… (13). Sara is constantly watching the same unspecified television program and one day receives a call from them (Lyle Russel of the McDick Corporation) (25). Mrs. Goldfarb, how would you like to be a contestant on one of televisions most poignant, most heartwarming programs? Oooo me? On the television She kept looking from the phone to the television, and back again, trying to look at both at the same time (25). After receiving this phone call the rest of Saras life goes into preparing for the television show and waiting for the McDick Corporation to call her back with more information. She soon begins to try several different diets, none of which are a success until she visits a doctor recommended by a friend. Her doctor puts her on diet pills, which subconsciously beco mes her third addiction. Without seeing the warning signsShow MoreRelatedThe Evolution of Baseball Technology: 1884-Present2676 Words   |  11 Pagescertainly lost our way as a nation. (Gutman 21) Today, aluminum bats account for nearly 75 % of all baseball bat sales and are used by nearly all Little League and college baseball teams (Wanner). The first baseball gloves were created in the 1880’s. They were work gloves that had the fingers chopped off after the first knuckle, aiding in protecting a player’s hands (Buckley 14). Later on, gloves became heavy leather pillows with fingers. Players were forced to catch the ball with two hands because