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  • Essay / Joan Didion's novel "Marrying Absurd": summary and analysis

    In "Marrying Absurd", Joan Didion illustrates the experience of getting "married" in Las Vegas as completely meaningless because it has become too simple. Didion says this process is unnecessary because getting a marriage license has become more of a business. Didion supports these claims by using a derogatory tone as well as personal anecdotes and irony in her essay. Through these techniques and techniques, Didion repeatedly expresses her opinions on the wedding culture in Las Vegas. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout her essay, Joan Didion supports her assertion that getting “married” in Las Vegas serves no purpose. Didion's most effective tone, which is used continually in her essay, is a derogatory tone that belittles and criticizes different aspects of the Las Vegas wedding industry. One of the major issues Didion finds fault with is the prioritization of wedding businesses in Las Vegas. For example, while a traditional wedding emphasizes the experience of the bride and groom, these "band chapels" prioritize convenience and cost, taking "...five to three minutes" and "...five dollars for license” (Didion 156,155). ). These quotes illustrate Didion's disparaging tone when criticizing the wedding industry for focusing more on aspects such as convenience and cost rather than a couple's wedding experience. These quotes also show how simple it is for a couple to obtain a marriage license. Ultimately, through the use of a critical tone, Didion's main idea, that obtaining a marriage license is unnecessary because virtually anyone can obtain one, is supported and expanded upon . Another literary device Didion uses to support her claims is irony. Although Didion's use of irony throughout the essay is rare, when it is used, it reiterates her main ideas. On page 156, Joan Didion states, "Mr. Brennan made...sixty-six in his office and charged each couple eight dollars." This quote illustrates Didion's use of irony, as on this occasion a judge acts as if he is trying to break the record for the most marriage licenses signed in one hour. Additionally, this quote illustrates the simplicity of getting married. Overall, using irony, a critical tone, and other literary devices, Didion develops her main idea by proving to readers how easy it is to obtain a marriage license. Although some people may believe that Las Vegas has a perfectly normal wedding industry. , I would side with the author and say that it is very bad. Although getting a marriage license from a Las Vegas company is much cheaper and convenient, I feel like a wedding shouldn't necessarily be cost-effective or take a short amount of time. Additionally, given that a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I believe it should be planned as a very special event rather than one where you “…lend [your] veil to six other people” ( Didion 156). I also agree with the author's main idea because I think the process of obtaining a marriage license has become too simplified. As perfect as this process is, a “five to three minute” session with a “justice of the peace” would lose many of the traditional values ​​and practices that should be included in a marriage (Didion 156). In conclusion, I would agree with the author's main idea because I believe that a marriage should.