American Society

It has been unmistakably apparent that American culture is flawed upon reading several passages like “Marrying Absurd”. It is the obsession with “boldness”, convenience, and popularity that has promoted satirical pieces to be written and call out these self-centered principles. I think that there is another driving motive behind the satirical pieces that we read in class as well—the fact that these focuses of society are promoted. People do not see the wrong in them anymore. For example, in Joan Didion’s essay, she uses the “plastic pink flamingo” as a vessel to criticize America’s consumerist culture. Caught up in the flashiness and popularity of the product, Americans of the time disregarded their history of having “hunted flamingos to extinction in Florida” and instead focused on the monetary value of the poor creature’s symbol of extravagance.

I find it rather pitiful that it takes a mocking essay for people to realize the faults in their actions or in the society that they are apart of. But is this enough to spark a change? Would the girl described in the last paragraph of “Marrying Absurd” see the irony and ridiculousness of her wedding if she looked at herself from a third point of view?  While some may individually avoid the pull towards trends or selfishness, it is doubtful that society as a whole will change completely. The dark past of America and today still hold the same primary motive in society—to fulfill self-interests.