The Use Of Physical Setting In T. C. Boyle's Greasy Lake

In the story “Greasy Lake” by T.C. Boyle, the author utilizes the physical setting of Greasy Lake to reflect on the nuances and effects of American culture at the time. He accomplishes this by using the lake to represent the group’s (narrator, Digby, Jeff) shift in character throughout the story while also using the environment as social commentary on the state of America. The effects of these methods are exuberant and successful in what type of story Boyle is trying to convey. The lake itself is vividly described as disgusting and ruined by the likes of previous party-goers/ visitors but used to be pristine and beautiful, hence its less-used name “Wakan”. It can be said that this version of the lake represents the group’s overall mindset

In a similar way that Doyle conveyed the change in the characters above, he also used to portray the nuances of the story’s culture. When describing the lake, the narrator comments on how, “The Indians had called it Wakan, a reference to the clarity of its waters. Now it was fetid and murky…”. The initial state of the lake represents the “golden age” of America and the pristine beauty it once held. The latter half of the quote stands for the current state of the country, relative to the story, and how the culture within it has shifted towards a more destructive/ dirty approach. This is supported by the text in paragraph 2, where the narrator comments, “...the mud banks glittering with broken glass and strewn with beer cans and the charred remains of bonfires.” The above representation of the nation can also be identified through the actions the characters make later in the story, and how the muck of the lake physically consumes the boys. In contrast to this, the newfound beauty of the lake through the narrator’s eyes at the end may represent America’s recovery/ emergence from this era, found in the experience the group has that changes them. Furthermore, this jarring comparison also leaves a lasting impression on the