This document analyzes how literature from the past still influences and repeats itself in modern Hollywood culture and celebrity behavior. It discusses how Albert Camus' The Stranger relates to crimes committed by the Lohan family. It also discusses parallels between Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and speeches by Hollywood elites, as well as how women were portrayed in Conrad's time relates to modern celebrity scandals. Additionally, it discusses how a Lockwood poem about love and loss relates to Kim Kardashian's divorce. Finally, it discusses how themes of youth and war in a Margaret Postgate Cole poem connect to the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Overall, the document argues that literature from the past still shapes Hollywood culture

1. Leslie Thomas
ENG 230-007
Media Project Analysis
November 17, 2011
A Blast from the Past
History has a knack for repeating itself, especially in the world of Hollywood. Trends
come and go, from clothes to beauty standards. Even literature has a habit of showing up.
Literature from the past spread messages long before the celebrities of Tinsel Town. These very
same people are still spreading those messages today, even if they don’t know it.
In Albert Camus’ novel, The Stranger, the main character commits a horrendous crime
without having hardly a care in the world. This happens all the time in Hollywood, especially in
the Lohan family. People who show no remorse for their crimes are often deemed the worse of
people, especially when they can’t admit what they did was wrong. Beating up your fiancée may
not have the same stigma as killing a random stranger, but it is ironic how the option of morals is
prevalent in people who believe they live in an “abstract” world.
In Joseph Conrad’s, Heart of Darkness, the word of the “wise” about colonization of
Africa has the same meaning as some of the speeches by the Hollywood elite. Conrad’s novel
talked about bringing Africa to its knees by converting the savages into civilized beings like
themselves. Charlie Sheen may not trying to be converting anyone to his beliefs, but a man who
spewed random nonsense and made a mental condition seem “fun” is sending the same message.
Any normal person on the street would be considered crazy, but people in power can say what
they want in the name of a cause, and it will logically make sense to them, and sadly to the
public who eagerly await their idol’s every word.

2. Conrad’s novel also talks about how women never know the truth about anything.
Although this can be considered degrading, it is true in some cases that women (and men alike)
can believe false facts and create their own ideal world. Women in Conrad’s time were not
informed of actual events occurring, they still believed that anything men did for the name of
their motherland was good. Just as the woman accusing a young celebrity of fathering her baby,
a rather harsh accusation, despite the fact of the celebrity denying even meeting her. This
happens to people who believe the celebrities to be the object of obsession, just as women did
with their men taking over the world in the name of England because the media said so.
Lockward’s poem, “My Husband Discovers Poetry”, it reminds of the ideal Hollywood
romance that ends in tragedy. Kim Kardashian struck her husband with a divorce statement,
despite saying how happy she was in press interviews. It was later revealed the marriage was not
even in her best interest. In Hollywood, and even people in normal life, often they are swept up
in the idea of love and “happy ever after”, that they fail to realize what they have lost and left
behind. Ironically enough, the poem talks about the love for an ex, just as Kim Kardashian was
seen with the once love of her life, Reggie Bush, mere days after the divorce was released.
People often blindside others feelings, when they realize their own needs and desires are not
being met.
Margaret Postgate Cole’s poem, “The Veteran”, shows how people whose youth is often
stolen by tragic events, such as war. But it also shows for some people who have been oppressed,
that it sets them free to be youthful. Like in the movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,
the only desire is to remain in the moment of youth to keep love, but she is slowly losing her
youth, while he continues to gain it. It shows that youth is not always as valued as people make it

3. out to be, like in Hollywood. For with age comes experience and wisdom, but the heart still has
the ability to remain “young” in love.
The meaning of literature still has a way of repeating itself through history, even without
people knowing. The people of Hollywood live out these meanings everyday, exposing us to
them in a whole new light.

4. Citations:
ABC News, Michael Lohan Arrested Again, Tries to Flee Cops by Jumping Off Balcony, 2011
http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Entertainment/ap_michael_lohan_court_nt_111027_wblog.jpg
Daily Mail Reporter, Charlie Sheen to sue Two And A Half Men network for 'mental anguish' as
he reveals new bizarre tattoo, February 28 2011.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/28/article-1361474-0D6A2A01000005DC-
382_634x406.jpg
Murray, Rebecca. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button movie poster. 2008
http://0.tqn.com/d/movies/1/0/j/P/S/curiouscaseofbenjaminbuttonposter.jpg
Star Magazine, Justin Bieber Paternity Scandal. 2011
http://www.justinbieberzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/justin-bieber-and-mariah-yeater-
baby-picture.jpg
Unknown, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Wedding Buzz and E! Exclusive, 8-24-2011
http://www.artrick-playground.com/static/images/352/Kim-Kardashian-and-Kris-Humphries-
Wedding-Buzz-and-E-Exclusive_361331_profile.jpg