The Day of the Locust

Style and Technique

Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust" is written in the style of social satire, where the author uses grotesque and irony to depict Hollywood and its inhabitants. The language is rich with metaphors and symbols, emphasizing the illusory and superficial nature of the film industry. West masterfully employs contrasts to highlight the disparity between dreams and reality, as well as the external glamour and internal emptiness of the characters. The narrative structure is non-linear, with frequent shifts between different storylines and characters, creating a sense of chaos and disorientation that reflects the inner states of the protagonists and the overall mood of the era. The author also actively uses dialogues to reveal the characters' personalities and motivations, making them vivid and multifaceted.