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Part 1, Chapter 3
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
American Culture and Counterculture
The American Dream
Drugs and American Society
News and Journalism
Violence
Summary
Analysis
Duke and Gonzo finally get to their room, and Gonzo calls room service and orders some sandwiches, rum, and nine fresh grapefruit. “Vitamin C,” he says. “We’ll need all we can get.” Duke’s acid trip is beginning to wear off, and by the time room service arrives the waiter looks only “vaguely reptilian.” They decide to take some mescaline and watch the TV news, which is coverage of the Laos Invasion. They watch as a “series of horrifying disasters” unfold, including explosions and generals “babbling insane lies” from the Pentagon. “Tun that shit off!” Gonzo yells. “Let’s get out of here!”
A popular myth within the Drug Culture is that vitamin C will stop a bad acid trip. Gonzo orders so many grapefruit because he is expecting a series of bad trips on several kinds of drugs—but he wants to do them anyway. The news coverage is more evidence of the violence present in society, and it also implies government corruption, a point of concern for the counterculture.
Themes
Back in the Great Red Shark, Gonzo passes out behind the wheel and runs a red light on Main Street, but Duke takes over driving and manages to get things under control. Behind the wheel, Duke turns the radio up and relaxes in the cool breeze. “Great God! What is this terrible music?” Duke yells as “The Battle Hymn of Lieutenant Calley” begins to play on the radio. Duke looks to Gonzo, but he is sitting in a daze and doesn’t seem to notice. “Thank Christ,” Duke thinks. This song “would drive him into a racist frenzy.”
“The Battle Hymn of Lieutenant Calley” is a heroic description of Calley’s actions in Vietnam, where he fought on behalf the United States Army and was responsible for the shooting deaths of over one hundred innocent civilians. The song about Calley glorifies and celebrates this violence. Duke worries that the song will send Gonzo into a “racist frenzy” because, to many, Calley’s actions were considered genocidal, and since Gonzo is a person of color, Duke expects him to be empathetic and therefore angry.
Themes
As Duke drives towards the Mint Gun Club, he begins to hear bike engines and the sound of gunfire. “Of course,” Duke thinks. “The Mint Gun Club!” He can see lines of people shooting targets not far from the registration tables for the race. Countless dirt bikes pass back and forth, including Husqvarnas, Yamahas, Kawasakis, and Triumphs.
The Mint Gun Club represents the American establishment, and it is described as violent and even militant in nature. There are several brands of dirt bikes represented, as Thompson again shows how American culture is defined by capitalist enterprise.
Themes
Duke parks and heads to the registration table. “What’s the entry fee?” he asks. “Two fifty,” says the man at the table. “What if I told you I had a Vincent Black Shadow?” Duke says. The man stares at him, and Duke notices he has a .38 revolver stuffed in his pants. “Forget it,” Duke says and walks away. “We’re the only people here without guns,” Duke says to Dr. Gonzo. Gonzo stops and looks around, listening to the distant popping of gunfire. “You cocksuckers!” Gonzo screams, running back toward the car. “We’ll be back!”
Obviously, Gonzo wants to go back to the hotel and get his .357 Magnum. Duke tells the registration clerk that he has a very expensive bike because he is hoping that this will get him some respect and perhaps a discount. Of course, Duke doesn’t even have a bike, and the man figures this as well. Thompson’s point, however, is that the wealthy are often given perks and advantages that others aren’t.
Themes
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