ENGL 200 D: Reading Literature: Literature in the Marketplace

For this major paper, I have chosen to look at the economic profile of Julius from “Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom.” The overarching question to explore is why does this character exist? The author uses Julius in the manner to represent a type of economic player, one who is always thinking of  “the vast carpet of the future unrolling before us… of the unimaginable frontiers open to each of us” (Prologue). Unlike the other characters, he does not yearn for constant struggle, exhibit strong ties to a family, or want a large quantity of control. He faces a problem about freely moving from idea to idea and place to place, without risk or consequence.

I think it is important to look at Julius through the conflicts that arise in the novel, these will help give rise to his attributes, motivations, and economic situation. Some of the major conflicts that I would like to look at are:

• Murder of Julius
• Trying to ruin the Hall of the Presidents
• Offline and decision to not refresh
• Urge to reinvent the Mansion
• Hitting rock bottom (whuffie)- Smith can be used to support the idea of only wanting to look towards the rich, rather than the poor.
• Deciding to leave Disney to space (with Jeanie/ his view of Dan’s deadheading)

He always turns back to the comfort he finds in Disney World. However living there means that he has stopped recreating himself, which is a conflict in this type of society. Disney World will be a major focus because this is his immediate environment. The Ad hocracy is the system that overlooks Disney World, which strives to provide the best entertainment and gain the whuffie from the visitors. It is advantageous that there are no fixed rules or roles; therefore Julius has the chance to move up the ranks.  Overall, this is just a subset of the Bitchun Society that has been greatly influenced by the introduction of Whuffie. I intend to look closer at Karl Marx’s ideas on society and ownership to see if I can draw any connections. It may become important to look at the history of the Ad hocracy.