This paper explores the literary works of Vidal Gore. It does this by beginning with a short citation of this great author, his writings and finally, giving an in depth analysis of his 2001 published, The Last Century.
Vidal gore, a fourth child in the family of five was born on 3rd/10/1925 at the United States Military Army in West Point, New York, USA. His father worked in this academy as the first US aeronautical instructor. However, Gore was later raised in Washington DC where he went to Sidwell Friends School and Albans School. In 1939, he relocated to France to proceed with his education (Richard. 1988). Upon returning in 1940, he enrolled at Los Alamos school before moving to Hampshire. After his graduation in 1943, he was engaged in the US Army as a private. Beside this, Gore was apolitical activist. He even went ahead to try his hand in politics: contested for a congress seat to represent Upstate, New York.
Gore is remembered as a distinguished scholar who contributed a lot in the wring industry. He is recognized for writing widely. In this regard, his writings range from pamphlets, essays, memoirs, novels and fictions.
Some of his fictions include Williwaw and the City and the Pillar (1968). Besides, among his major plays are the Best Man (1960) and A Visit to a Small Planet (1955). He also authored Washington DC (1967); Julian (1968) and the Myra Breckinridge (1968). Besides, he wrote essays like the United States: 1952-1992; the Armageddon and the Last Empire which were published in 1993, 1968 and 2000 respectively. He became a very successful writer who latter clinched the prestigious US National Book Award.
In this particular piece, I would like to focus on one of the essays that were written by Gore. This will be done by giving a precise description and the synopsis of the essay. Eventually, I will go ahead to critically analyze it.
The Last Empire is the ninth volume of essays published by Gore. It was written to cover a period at which Bill Clinton launched his presidential campaigns to a much later date. This obviously makes it be in the position to analyze Clinton’s regime besides being able to unwrap the injustices in the US electoral process. Covering a period of ten years also makes it be in a better position to analyze the US development strategies within that decade.
I would like to concur with the fact that Gore was indeed a knowledgeable writer. Writing a book with a wide coverage both in content, character and location is a no mean achievement. In this essay, Gore clearly sheds more light on the reader on the political, economic and social conditions in the United States of America. Even if he appears as a critic, his admirable quality as a patriot inevitably manifests itself. From his point of view, we can be able to see the US very critically. He makes it possible for us to clearly observe the long term relationships in this great country.
As was asserted by Richard Nixon, the creativity and critical ideologies manifested in this volume makes Gore to be undoubtedly be perceived as the most provocative observer and critic of the transitional trends in the contemporary America. In this essay, Gore brings his rich intellect coupled with a long time experiences in the military and the political arena.
His wide knowledge of the world around and beyond him makes him be able to give more dynamic analyses of people from all corners of the world. Such people are granted a detailed critique based on the kind of work and role they play in the society. As already highlighted, his writings cover the politicians, academicians, writers and historians. He carefully treats his characters that he gives an n open admiration. He chooses to give his thoughtful stance of both the renown and even the little known personalities. He openly, but crucially show his admiration of a prominent writer, Mark Twain; politicians, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and his own cousin George Al Gore; Lewis Sinclain,; D. Howels; Edmund Wilson add even the little known, Powell Dawn.. He praises each of these at different times, with a lot of admiration, showing very clearly the remarkable contributions they have separately played in the life of mankind. For instance, he admires Mark Twain’s literary prowess with words like, ‘the best mind produced by this century’. At the same time, he describes Wilson Hedmund as ‘the most powerful wide ranging mind.’
However, gore openly expresses his dissatisfaction with people. He confidently shows this to the readers without fear or favor. For instance, having a negative attitude towards academics makes him disregard Twain’s academic success. Instead of appreciating Twain’s efforts, as he appeared to have done before, he opts to trash his biography. This courage is also manifested when he fearlessly condemns poor administration in the country, US. However, this, to critics, comes as a result of his unsatisfied urge for political leadership.
Even if Gore is celebrated as an extremely intelligent writer, I would like to confidently say that the writing of this essay was not perfectly done. Even if he expresses his idea with a lot of vigor, Gore, in his writings still appear as a very jingoistic fellow. He portrays himself as a real patriot. This makes him not be able to give a bias free critic of the situation at hand.
His ideas may be deemed populist. He can not fully explore the political scenario because, the second powerful leader in the land, G. Al Gore, is his cousin. This, I think, means that he had to tilt his criticisms in his favor.
On the other hand, Gore’s bitter position to the politicians may be attributed to his failure in politics. Because he was not able to clinch the post he wanted, it seems that he diverted his bitterness to the state.
Last, but by no means the least, Gore openly comes out as a populist figure. He also produces a very shallow story that is left hanging. The Last Empire is left hanging. It does no reach a precise conclusion hence leaving the reader in a dilemma. In fact, as a novelist, Nin Anais puts it, the reader of the Last Empire, Gore’s ninth volume is left demanding for the tenth volume by the same author.
Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to assert that Vidal Gore is a real writer. Many of his contemporaries and the present writers have elevated him as the most brilliant brain in the field of literature. It is generally accepted that Gore was the novelist, play writer and the essayist of the last century. However, II appeal that he should have used a clearer language in his writings. Actually, this could have made them appeal to sorts of readers.
Reference
Richard, C. (1988) Love and Respect, Holly wood Style. New York: The Times
