The Role Of Media In Bonfire Of The Vanities

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Released in the 1980s, Tom Wolfe’s, Bonfire of the Vanities, slotted itself into a time of great racial unrest and tension. In the wake of the Tawana Brawley and Bernie Goetz affairs, Wolf’s novel seems to foresight the insanity that would befall all following cases of similar topic: the rampant witch-hunt by the media to find a ‘Great White Defendant ’in order to right the racial wrongs of America. Demonstrated by the fate of Sherman McCoy, it is evident that the press played a crucial role in fanning the fires of racism, sweeping all facts aside in order to paint a crime of class warfare that would rack up falsified views and public support. As the novel unfolds, it becomes evident that the McCoy case, rather than having an outcome of lawful …show more content…

In doing so, the media has found yet another way to stir the pot of racial upheaval creating an exaggerated illusion of an angry mob advancing on their victim: the white upper class of New York. However, in reality the protesters have very little heart and show up either for a chance to be on a TV photo op or simply out of curiosity. Additionally many who show up as stated by Detective Goldberg, aren’t even associated with Lamb. Nonetheless, the media doesn’t care; their aim was to make it appear as if the entire force of the population of the Bronx was behind Lamb ready to take down Sherman McCoy and New York. As restated in ‘The Fire This Time’, ‘TV crews ….the curling lip of a multi-racial, multi-ethnic tidal wave of the disadvantaged, in which the varied elements of the city’s historic stability are fated to drown if they have not done so …show more content…

The Mayor’s audience, a restless crowd consisting mostly of blacks, is depicted spewing slews of racially offensive insults towards him. They accuse the mayor of racism, but ironically, they are the ones shouting the racial abuse at him. This scene is mostly one of obvious confusion, contradictions and racial hatred, however amidst the chaos are a distinct few that are thoroughly enjoying what they are witnessing. As Lynn’s observes, “The TV crews in attendance, their cameras coming out of their heads like horns, are diabolically delighted by the spectacle, “They’re eating it up! They’re here for the brawl!…They’re cowards! Parasites! The lice of public life!”(Lynn, Wolfe. prologue) The media is truly exposed for all their grotesque ways and untalented cheats as they watch in pride as their monstrous creation finally splinters. They have successfully pinned black against white, poor against rich, the Bronx against

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