Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson unmasks the reality of the American Dream. In the book Thompson portrays and reveals the American Dream as dead, but also as an illusion created by American society. The American Dream was originally portrayed as the notion that you must work hard to achieve the wealth you wish to gain, but now the American Dream in reality consists of people cheating their way to the Dream. Thompson depicts this reality with different events throughout the book and by setting the story in Las Vegas. Thompson, from the very beginning, mentions the American Dream to the reader. He introduces the American Dream as if it were real: “…we’re on our way to Las Vegas to find the American Dream” (6). The American Dream is never clearly stated to be a certain information or idea. But we always assume that the American Dream is achieved through hard work and aspiration to do the impossible. Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo sets out on a journey to Las Vegas to find the American Dream. Duke and Dr. Gonzo don’t realize that the American Dream is only an illusion. The Dream is always in sight, but you are never able to reach it. “…I tell you, my man, this is the American Dream in action!” (10). They think that, because of the good fortune that that they have received, they are living the American Dream.
When Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo set out on their journey at the beginning of the book, they have a carload of drugs and illegal substances. I think, because they are always high, they are living part of the American Dream of not caring what they do. When they go to Las Vegas, they have no regard for the law at all. In Part Two of the book, Duke and Dr. Gonzo attend the District Attorneys' Conference on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs with many law enforcers in attendance. They attend the conference high and go unnoticed in front of all of the law enforcers. Because they are under the influence of illegal substances at the conference and