Tom Wolfe Criticism
Tom Wolfe stands as a pivotal figure in American literature, renowned for pioneering "New Journalism," a literary style that marries the emotive depth of fiction with the factual rigor of journalism. His technique, which includes stream-of-consciousness narration and vivid scene-setting, provides incisive commentary on American culture and society. Wolfe himself articulated this intent in an interview with George Plimpton, emphasizing the "emotional impact" of fiction combined with the "deep factual foundation" of hard reporting.
Wolfe's journey began in Richmond, Virginia, and his academic pursuits at Washington and Lee University and Yale University laid the groundwork for his career in journalism. His tenure at the Springfield Union and Washington Post eventually led to his influential contributions to Esquire magazine, including the pivotal article "There Goes (Varoom! Varoom!) That Kandy Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby," which marked a defining moment in New Journalism. Through works like The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and The Right Stuff, Wolfe established himself as a perceptive observer of American subcultures, often focusing on mythic, rebellious figures, as analyzed by Gary Konas.
His novels, such as The Bonfire of the Vanities and A Man in Full, examine the intricacies of urban life and societal norms, often featuring characters exemplifying "outlaw gentleman" traits, as discussed by Sheri F. Crawford. Wolfe's bold style and opinions have sparked extensive debate, with critics divided on his approach to realism and cultural critique. For example, The Bonfire of the Vanities generated both praise and criticism for its depiction of New York's social and ethnic complexities, while A Man in Full received mixed reviews for its narrative style, including John Updike's critique as "entertainment, not literature." Nevertheless, Wolfe's knack for capturing the "Spirit of the Age" places him among the most impactful cultural commentators of his era, a sentiment echoed by Joe David Bellamy.
In works such as The Right Stuff, Wolfe explores themes like the heroic mythology surrounding American astronauts and test pilots. Critics have both lauded and criticized his narrative style; Ronald Hayman appreciates Wolfe's skillful use of fictional techniques in nonfiction to craft compelling tales, while Laurie Stone critiques his tendency to generalize, potentially lessening their impact. Moreover, Martha Heimberg notes Wolfe's transition from satire to earnest examination of space heroes, though she points out occasional overwriting.
Despite varied critical reception, Wolfe's ability to encapsulate the essence of American culture through satire is unquestionable. His works continue to provoke thought on superficialities and deeper societal truths, as noted by Thomas Powers, who examines Wolfe's critique of elite writers and the superficiality often targeted in his narratives.
Contents
- Principal Works
- Wolfe, Tom (Vol. 2)
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Wolfe, Tom (Vol. 147)
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Tom Wolfe: Outlaw Gentleman
(summary)
In the following essay, Crawford analyzes how Wolfe's protagonists often exhibit the characteristics of an “outlaw gentleman,” a rogue who clothes himself in respectability.
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The Art of Fiction CXXIII
(summary)
In the following interview, Tom Wolfe with George Plimpton discusses his journey into journalism, the stylistic evolution influenced by figures like Emil Ludwig and Soviet writers, his transition to novel writing, and his emphasis on the detailed depiction of societal vignettes through brand names and material culture.
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Introduction
(summary)
In this essay, Fishwick gives an overview of Wolfe's life and career, focusing on the segments of American culture that Wolfe profiles in his work.
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Tom Wolfe Unchanged By Fame
(summary)
In the following essay, Rouse recalls a personal meeting with Wolfe, while also discussing the writer's early years and development into a journalist.
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Rebel-Doodle Dandy
(summary)
In the following essay, Crawford dissects the typical Wolfe protagonist, portraying them as well-tailored anti-heroes and heroic outlaws who only have allegiance to themselves.
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Tom Wolfe's Narratives as Stories of Growth
(summary)
In the following essay, Stokes focuses on the relationship between the narrator and the subject of Wolfe's works, and the effect that relationship has on the reader.
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The Cultural Gamesmanship of Tom Wolfe
(summary)
In the following essay, Stull criticizes Wolfe for his stereotypes of women and minorities, and for his generalizations about status and politics. Stull believes that Wolfe's “detached observer” writing style removes him from his characters, making them passive participants in Wolfe's literary “games.”
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Tom Wolfe and The ‘Experimental’ Novel
(summary)
In the following essay, Card discusses Wolfe's development of the social-realist novel and his belief that highly-detailed realism is “the future of the fictional novel.”
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Tom Wolfe's Defense of the New (Old) Social Novel; Or, The Perils of the Great White-Suited Hunter
(summary)
In the following essay, Varsava compliments Wolfe on the realism of The Bonfire of the Vanities, but states that the novel doesn't live up to the values of the social-realist novel that Wolfe himself outlined in “Stalking the Billion-Footed Beast.”
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Tom Wolfe and Social(ist) Realism
(summary)
In this negative review of Wolfe's “Stalking the Billion-Footed Beast: A Literary Manifesto for the New Social Novel,” Epstein criticizes the essay for its suggestion that “realistic fiction” is the future of the fictional novel. Epstein goes on to compare the essay to the 1855 dissertation of Nikolai Chernyshevsky, entitled The Esthetic Relationship of Art to Reality.
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Tom Wolfe's Revenge
(summary)
In the following essay, Harvey discusses the origins of the “New Journalism” that Wolfe helped to create and the effect that it has had on the world of American journalism.
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Interview: Tom Wolfe
(summary)
In the following interview with Charlie Reilly, Tom Wolfe discusses the research process and narrative techniques employed in "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," emphasizing the unexpected significance of the phrase "on the bus," his approach to capturing Ken Kesey's character, and distinguishing "New Journalism" from fiction.
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Traveling ‘Furthur’ with Tom Wolfe's Heroes
(summary)
In this essay, Konas analyzes the mythic, rebellious heroes of subculture that Wolfe focuses on in The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and The Right Stuff.
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‘It's the Third World Down There!’: Urban Decline and (Post)National Mythologies in Bonfire of the Vanities
(summary)
In the following essay, Kennedy discusses how Wolfe portrays urban realism in The Bonfire of the Vanities and how the novel uses New York City as “a microcosm of contemporary American society.”
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Tom Wolfe on Top
(summary)
In the following essay, Bing profiles the research, time, and massive marketing campaign that went into the publication of Wolfe's A Man in Full.
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Honor Amid the Ruins
(summary)
In the following review of A Man in Full, O'Sullivan compliments Wolfe's comic set-pieces and looks at the novel's general critical reception in an attempt to identify the basic theme of the work.
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Tom Wolfe: Outlaw Gentleman
(summary)
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The Electric Indian
(summary)
In the following essay, Thomas R. Edwards critiques Tom Wolfe's portrayal of 1960s America, arguing that while Wolfe effectively captures pop culture's eccentricities and the personal power of his subjects, he ultimately trivializes social justice issues and panders to a nostalgic view that undermines the true novelty of the counterculture.
- Wolfe, Tom (Vol. 9)
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Wolfe, Tom (Vol. 15)
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The Lives of Writers
(summary)
In the following essay, Thomas Powers critiques Tom Wolfe's satirical portrayal of the superficiality of elite writers, arguing that Wolfe himself chooses arbitrary subjects and avoids addressing more pressing societal issues, but acknowledges Wolfe's unique style and impact.
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So You Want to Be an Astronaut
(summary)
In the following essay, Michael Collins critiques Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" for its detailed exploration of the distinction between test pilots and astronauts, acknowledging Wolfe's compelling portrayal of astronaut diversity while noting the author's tendency to become too enamored with his subjects, potentially compromising his critical edge.
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Spaced Out
(summary)
In the following essay, Laurie Stone critiques Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, highlighting Wolfe's attempt to articulate the elusive concept of "the right stuff," while critiquing his narrative style for homogenizing the events and personalities he chronicles, thus diminishing their impact and failing to clarify their significance.
- Ben Yagoda
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Tom Wolfe in Interview
(summary)
In the following essay, Ronald Hayman argues that Tom Wolfe masterfully applies fictional techniques to nonfiction in The Right Stuff, creating an authentic and moving narrative that examines contemporary myth-making and the tension between personal identities and government-imposed images of American astronauts.
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Howling at the Moon: Tom Wolfe
(summary)
In the following essay, Martha Heimberg examines Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, emphasizing his shift from satire to a more detailed exploration of American space heroes, noting his skillful observation of style and sincerity amidst criticism of occasional overwriting.
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Lusting after Ghosts
(summary)
In the following essay, Penelope Mortimer criticizes Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" for failing to authentically capture the essence and experiences of the first American astronauts, arguing that Wolfe's style lacks depth and fails to convey the true nature and emotions of its subjects.
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Stylishly into Space
(summary)
In the following essay, Eric Korn critiques Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff for its lack of a coherent thesis and untrustworthy observations, while acknowledging Wolfe's engaging yet sometimes irritating writing style and his complex portrayal of bravery and valor among military test pilots.
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Pilots & Astronauts
(summary)
In the following essay, Rachel Mark argues that Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" offers a critical portrayal of astronauts, favoring test pilots as embodying true American ideals, and critiques Wolfe's disdain for the astronauts as reflective of a broader tendency to critique American values.
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The Lives of Writers
(summary)
- Further Reading