In Nathanael West’s, The Day of The Locust, there is a large amount of apathy shown by all of the characters in the book. This apathy is defined by how uncaring all of the characters are towards each other’s problems.
When Faye, a rising actress, is trying to mourn her deceased father during his funeral, a drunk Todd Hackett, attempts to sleep with her. He ends up getting a kiss from her but has to let her go. “Raging at him, she was still beautiful.” (Pg.126). Even during her father’s funeral, Todd cannot control his wants for Faye. Instead of showing sympathy, he gets drunks and attempts to sleep with her. Ignoring her own problems for his own selfish pleasure.
There is also apathy even shown by minor characters. At the end of the book. A riot breaks out after Homer Simpsons brutally kills Adore Loomis mocks him. After escaping the riot Todd finds a group of people watching the riot going on. One man causally says, “This is a riot you’re in,” (Pg183). This causal tone, even with violence raging all around them, shows just how much apathy everyone in this book shows. From Adore Loomis and his mocking of Homer, to Todd objectification of Faye. Everyone only cares about themselves.
Great American Novels 