Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

by

Hunter S. Thompson

The Waitress Character Analysis

A waitress at North Star Coffee Lounge in North Vegas, a “ghetto” on the outskirts of Las Vegas for those who “fucked up once too often on the Strip.” The waitress looks like a “burned-out caricature of Jane Russell,” but she appears to have complete control of the diner. Gonzo propositions the waitress with a napkin that reads, “Back Door Beauty?” and then terrorizes her by waving around a knife and cutting the cord on the telephone. The waitress represents the marginalized lower class, but her character also underscores sexism and violence against women in American society as well.
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The Waitress Character Timeline in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The timeline below shows where the character The Waitress appears in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part Two, Chapter 8: Back Door Beauty…& Finally a Bit of Serious Drag Racing on the Strip
American Culture and Counterculture Theme Icon
Violence Theme Icon
...only customers, which is a good thing since they have just eaten some more mescaline. The waitress looks like a “burned-out caricature of Jane Russell,” or like a “very old hooker who... (full context)
American Culture and Counterculture Theme Icon
Violence Theme Icon
The waitress turns her back and reads the napkin, which says: “Back Door Beauty?” She turns back... (full context)