The Dynamic Use of Symbolism in Shampoo Planet Essay -- Shampoo Planet

The Dynamic Use of Symbolism in Shampoo satelliteDouglas Coupland has been called the voice of Generation X by his critics beca ingestion of his writing techniques, which deal chiefly with youthful ideals. Most of his works involve young characters inquisitioning for impartiality and answers for their self-involved questions. Despite many of his novels having a dim outlook, he incorporates belief and optimism into them, which creates a balance between wittiness and mockery. In Shampoo major planet Tyler Johnson, the narrator, struggles to find his identity without the novel. This is portrayed through Couplands acute use of imagery, which is abundant throughout the novel. Many of Tylers intellectual qualities befriend him adapt and cope with many of the situations he faces but many of his mad and moral qualities strive to change who he is and what he wants out of life. As Tylers outlook on life transforms, the vivid use of symbolism corresponds to his changing attitude. Tyler, a resident of Lancaster, Washington, lives with his hippie mother, Jasmine, and two siblings, Daisy and Mark. In search for excitement, he plans to take a summer vacation backpacking through Europe. Before his trip, he had a very comfortable relationship with Anna-Louise, a down to earth and very reserved girl attending the resembling college. However, in Europe, Tyler meets a French girl named Stephanie, who is very exotic and provoke to him and was the complete opposite of Anna-Louise. When Stephanie comes to visit Tyler in Lancaster, Anna-Louise learns of the brief affair Tyler and Stephanie had in Europe. Tyler then ends his relationship with Anna-Louise and moves to California with Stephanie. In the beginning of the novel, Tyler is seen as a relatively happy, c be free, and motivated twenty year old man. As his life progresses, his attitude and outlook on life changes dramatically. In sensation passage from the beginning of the novel, Tyler states that I have a planI have a good car and a wide variety of excellent hair-care products. I know what I want from life I have ambition.(13). He has such excitement about what will excrete in his life down the road. He claims that he wants to own a hotel when he gets older because in a hotel room you have no historyYou feel like youre all potential waiting to be rewritten, like a crisp, blank sheet of 8 -by-11-inch blanched bond paper. There is ... ...ld they find? Turn on the shower. (133). Tyler believes that if he keeps himself clean, then he will not become poor. His shampoo is his key to adequate what he wants to. Douglas Couplands use of symbolism in Shampoo orbiter helps paint a vivid picture of Tyler and his struggles throughout his life. The extensive use of symbolism made the book more interesting and helped me relate to Tyler more as a person than a character. Tylers constant changing made the story unpredictable and less common it held my interest bountiful to build up me want to continue reading the novel. Even though Douglas Coupland is considered to be the voice of Generation X, many different generations can relate to its content and enjoy his works, both past and future generations. Couplands sarcastic air of writing gives the novel a comedic element which makes it more enjoyable to read. I liked his use of imagery, with passages such as Tyleryou are my trailer park. And you, Anna-Louise, are my tornado. (31). His sarcasm helped to keep me interested because, in my opinion, every book needfully a source of comedy Couplands source is his ability to make fun of any situation and still keep a serious manner.