A Portrait of Modern Life in Carnal Knowledge :: Carnal Knowledge Essays

A Portrait of Modern Life in Carnal Knowledge   T. C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge is a very funny, and at the same time truthful portrayal of some of the things which are waiver on in the world today. His description of the narrator and the elbow room he thinks, as well as his portrayal of Alena Jorgensen, leaves the reader wondering if they aim ever believed so strongly in something or acted the same way to help reach their goal. What makes this story so unique and is that takes place in our world, in a world were some people are quick of Kentucky Fried Chicken or Chicken McNuggets (245) and others dont eat meat or fish or milk or cheese or eggs, and they didnt behave wool or leather  or fur (248). T. C. Boyle uses his sarcastic, yet at the same time believable, style to make the reader feel as if he was in the main reputations shoes. The author guides the reader through the diametric stages of the characters evolution and shows how different aspects of society influence his thinking. In the end, the character concludes, alone as I have, that no matter what people say  its tho meat (257).   The story begins with the narrator being a man in his mid(prenominal)-thirties, with a stable job, and a median(prenominal) life. The only thing lose in his life seems to be a female companion. He wants to queue somebody he likes, understands and has something in common with, and he is sick of fashioning the acquaintance of a divorced computer programmer in her mid thirties with three kids and bad breath (246) and her like.   Thus when he meets Alena Jorgensen he becomes bewitched and begins to try to impress her, and establish common interests. He becomes more or less totally submissive as their relationship grows and unconsciously begins to do things he never thought of or cared about doing before. T. C. Boyle shows this progression in the narrators character by describing the characters changing behavior and aspirations. Thus he shows how a normal man with twentieth century urban American sensibility (Utley) becomes a radical activist for animal rights. Something was happening to me  I could feel it in the way the boards shifted under me, feel it with each beat of the surf  and I was ready to go along with it. (249).