Naked lunch free essay sample

The play Naked Lunch by Michael Hollinger focuses on the relationship between the two characters Vernon and Lucy. The two had previously had a romantic relationship, but for whatever reason ended it. In an attempt to get Lucy back, Vernon invites her to have a steak dinner with him. When Lucy refuses to eat the steak (due to the fact that she is now a vegetarian), things quickly take the turn for the worst. Throughout the play Vernon is controlling, demeaning, manipulative and abusive, and though it seems that Lucy tried to turn her life around and wants better for herself, she is submissive towards him. While telling the story of a previously estranged couple, Michael Hollinger uses metaphor, imagery and characterization in order to show that the hostile diner is more than just a diner; it is a metaphor for an abusive relationship and rape. The play opens with Lucy and Vernon engaged in a conversation about a show about crocodile hunting. We will write a custom essay sample on Naked lunch or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The crocodile in this story is symbolic of Vernon. He states, â€Å"you can’t train a crocodile†¦all it knows, or wants to know is whether or not your juicy†(Hollinger 856). The crocodile is a metaphor for how Lucy can’t change Vernon. No matter how hard she may try, he is incapable of change. All he is concerned about is not whether Lucy is safe or happy; it’s whether or not he’s attracted to her. Professor wants me to make sure this is true†¦what is he really saying with this story? What message is he sending her? The vase of flowers placed in the center of the table is another example of how Hollinger uses metaphors to describe the relationship between Vernon and Lucy. The meaning of the vase however, varies slightly depending on how it is set up. If the vase has too many flowers it shows that Vernon is overcompensating and could be his way of trying to impress Lucy or distract her with pretty things in order to get her back. While if the vase contains too few flowers, it is symbolic of Vernon simply not caring much about Lucy. It shows that taking the time to actually put out a nice display for the woman whom he is trying to win back is too much work and effort. The awkward vase is a metaphor for their relationship and the diner itself. Make sure that im not confusing metaphor with imagery; refrence draft corrections by professor. Also cite for paraphrases. The fact that Lucy is now a vegetarian is a huge part of this play. It shows us that she is not only trying to make herself a better person than she was while in the relationship with Vernon, but also that she is done with Vernon, (or at least wants to be). Lucy said she had done some soul searching while they were separated and decided to not eat meat. This decision is a metaphor for Lucy deciding she want to cut Vernon off. However Vernon does not have the same desire, he wants her back. While she is giving reasons for why she decided to become a vegetarian, Vernon is shooting every one of them down come up with another way to say this. Apparently this is slang.. He says that her reasons are stupid and have no merit and should stop listening to what others tell her. This is Vernon’s way of telling Lucy that she has no good reason to leave him and should stop listening to her family and friends. Lastly, the steak is also a metaphor for rape. The way Vernon forces the meat in her mouth is symbolic of him forcing himself on Lucy. She is terrified while he is assaulting her â€Å"They are locked in a struggle, he menacing, she terrified†(Hollinger 859).