Joan Didion, author of Slouching Towards Bethlehem, had a series of essays written, one of them being called “Comrade Laski, C.P.U.S.A. (M.-L.).” In this essay, she discusses the subject of counterculture, the main subject being toward a person named Laski and his counterculture group. What Didion sees in Laski’s group is partly for it and against it.
Laski has a strong determination to get something done with what he believes in. As for Didion, she respects his determination but is against the actions that are being done in the group. Joan quoted, “As it happens I am uncomfortable with the Michael Laskis of this world, with those who live outside, rather than in, those in whom the sense of dread is so acute…” This specific quote tells us how Didion really feels about the group. She sees how it can be positive in a way, but she also looked at the negativity that comes out of his group. At the end of the essay, there was a conversation going on back and forth between Laski and Simmons, and it ended as, “It’s always bad the day before welfare and unemployment checks arrive…you see what the world of Michael Laski is: a minor but perilous triumph of being over nothingness…” Here, it shows that the blame was put on other people who were on welfare. It was something to convince others that a new sort of government was needed and they rely on people who do nothing. This appeared to be very ironic and filled with flaws.
Even if counterculture groups represent people’s differences, there can be goods and bads that come out of it. Didion’s message about Laski’s group was clear that she approved of how he took his beliefs to a higher level but the actions he and his groups chose were unacceptable.
No comments:
Post a Comment