The Day of the Locust
Nathanael West
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
Hollywood's strays
What kind of Hollywood does West show us, far from the stars, among extras, failures and hangers-on?
Keep the conversation going
- Why are these people drawn to California?
- How does the novel's Hollywood compare with the one in films?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What kind of Hollywood does West show us, far from the stars, among extras, failures and hangers-on?
Keep the conversation going
- Why are these people drawn to California?
- How does the novel's Hollywood compare with the one in films?
What does Tod's painting "The Burning of Los Angeles" tell us about how he sees the people around him?
Keep the conversation going
- Is Tod an observer, a participant or both?
- How does the painting prepare for the ending?
What is it about Faye Greener that makes so many men want her?
Keep the conversation going
- Is she a victim, a manipulator or something else?
- How did you respond to her dreams of stardom?
What did you make of Faye's father Harry, the old vaudeville clown who can never stop performing?
Keep the conversation going
- Why is his death scene so uncomfortable?
- What does the novel suggest about performance and pain?
How did you respond to Homer Simpson, the shy bookkeeper from Iowa with his restless hands?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does Faye move in with him, and why does he let her?
- Did you feel more pity or unease for him?
What does West mean by the people who came to California to die, and why is their boredom so dangerous?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does he think they have been cheated?
- Where do you see something like their anger today?
Which moments of cruelty, like the cockfight or the party at Homer's, prepared you for what follows?
Keep the conversation going
- Why are the characters drawn to violence?
- How does West mix comedy with horror?
How did you respond to the riot at the film premiere at the end?
Keep the conversation going
- What does Homer's attack on the child actor Adore set loose?
- What did you make of Tod imitating a siren in the last line?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.