The Differences Between Generations and the way Society Perc essays

The Differences Between Generations and the way Society Perc essays In Douglas Couplands novel Generation X three friends Andy, Claire, and Dag go on a mission in search of meaning in their lives. The three quit their low-paying jobs and leave their hometowns and everything they had in exploration of extreme changes. They travel to California in search for new jobs and the successful lifestyles they are worthy of. Each of the three friends was born following the baby-boom generation, which took place in the years before 1950. People born between the late 1950s and the late 1960s are given the name generation X for many reasons. Though Andy, Claire, and Dag are members of this generation of time, they were also educated and expected more out of life than what they had been given. This generation is often over looked in todays society. Throughout the book Coupland uses the differences in the generations to play them off of one another. Each generation withholds many changes from the previous. The authors deep understanding of the X generation is used in mockery of the others, and their lack of perception of what is really going on. The people belonging to generation X are often defined as, cynical, hopeless, frustrated and unmotivated slackers who wear grunge clothing, listen to alternative music and still live at home because they cannot get real jobs, as said by a Nevada newspaper. Living up to these truths the Dag, Claire, and Andrew begin a routine of drinking heavily, reminiscing about past time, and making up stories. All the while they are working what they call McJobs, or jobs that have no future, pay minimum wage, have low benefits, and that are of very low stature. Though they are overeducated their private and unpredictable ways leave them working in the service industry. The stories these three characters tell throughout the book are entertaining and humorous. They create tales of love, life, previous overdoses, different cultures of s...