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Day Of Locust

time and place written · 1934–1938, Hollywood
date of first publication · 1939
publisher · Random House
narrator · Third-person omniscient narrator
point of view · The narrator tells the majority of the story from the point of view of Tod Hackett—we see what Tod thinks about others, and Tod's surroundings are narrated using words that Tod would use. However, a small section of the book is written from the point of view of Homer Simpson. The passages told from Homer's point of view seem to take Homer's words less than Tod's. Thus even when we are presented with Homer's solitary surroundings and activities, the language can sound like Tod's.
tone · The novel is satirical, bitter, and unsympathetic in tone. Most of the novel is told from Tod's point of view, which is largely one of intellectual and analytical detachment. There is little humor in the tone aside from occasional black humor.
tense · Present tense, with flashbacks
setting (time) · 1930s
setting (place) · Hollywood and surrounding areas of Los Angeles
protagonist · Tod Hackett and Homer Simpson
major conflict · Tod becomes more and more attracted to Faye Greener, yet also feels a desire to hurt her or even rape her. At the same time, several other men, including Homer Simpson, become attracted to Faye as well. Additionally, the non-performing population of Hollywood—the recent, once hopeful emigrants from other parts of America—become increasingly disillusioned and furious that Hollywood has nothing of substance to offer them. They become bored and bitter and increasingly can find release only in salacious or violent spectacle.
rising action · Tod meets Homer Simpson and recognizes a fellow Faye-lover. He also sees in Homer elements of the people he wants to paint—the starers who populate the streets of Hollywood, hungry for something and not getting it.
climax · Violence erupts at Miguel and Earle's...

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