Generation X by Douglas Coupland Essay

multiplication X was CouplandS disputed title which was derived from the piddle of Paul Fusell, category X in 1983. In his inter horizon in 1995 Coupland explained that Fusells classification of X category were nation who circulated in rounds of m adepty, spatial relation and affectionate climbing that describe the freshistic existence. But looking at the Couplands reinvigorated, it is actually different from Fusells work. The people he is referring to as multiplication X are the people born after 1960. The total novel rotates around the contemporary club issues love intrigues, adventure, friendship among opposite themes (Reed).These themes are non new since they existed even in during the convictions of spacious philosophers. It is for this reason that I think Marx, Durkheim, and Weber apply to the Couplands novel, propagation X. Although the novel reveals a lot of friendship and love between most characters there is an aspect of social deviation developing betwe en the modern multiplication and the past. Emile Durkheim is perhaps the most popular in the field of deflection and his ideas are consequently applicable in this novel.In his argument in the division of confederation (Huang 63), Durkheim says that differences in a collective society and deviate society contribute to the basis of theoretical framework which outlines reasons as to wherefore people violate norms. On the other hand, his appreciation that deviance in most cases enhances social cohesion provides foundation for theories that examines why deviant labeling choke (62). During the 1995 interview (Reed 3rd par), Coupland on his side revealed that his novel wondered why his generation is being labeled as members of baby boomer when they are exposed of thinking by themselves.The idea of social differentiation in like manner seems to array up in the novel (Coupland 67) hence bringing the three philosophers scalelike to the novel. In the novel, there are several generat ion the first one is the older generation of Mr. and Mrs. Mcarthur, second is the generation X where Andy, Claire and Dag belongs and last the generation Y for Tyler who is Andys untrieder brother . According to Durkheim, social differentiation contributes non only to deviant conduct but also deviant labeling in more differentiated societies (Schmaus 56).In the novel, which represents the contemporary society, this deviance conduct and labeling is witnessed throughout the novel. The members of older generational view those of generational X and generation Y as some how spoiled and refer to them as global teens (Coupland 48). In his theory about the relationship between the society and individuals, Karl Marx noted that the society is highly stratified because the people who worked the hardest were also the people who received the least as the fruits of their labor (Shlomo 152).Like in the novel, Karl Marx looked forward-moving to a society that accounted for social change. Althoug h Coupland and Karl Max talks of classes of people, the two croak to agree in their classification. Karl Max concentrated on the Proteliant or the majority in the society and the Bourgeois who are the minority. He argues that the former constitute in substandard living condition while the later pretend all that life have to offer (Shlomo 160). Coupland classes of people in the society are the older generation and the younger generation.However, like what is contained in Karl Marx ideas, the young generation belongs to the marginalized group with lousy jobs while the old generation view themselves as the think tanks and the wisest. The young characters in the novel try to pulling themselves from the characters that belong to the past. Dags love interest for example incessantly find herself looked up in the past without realizing what is happening in the modern world. Like the rest, Weber in his work analyses the modern society (Burris 122).He discusses the concept of bureaucrac ies which according to him is the foundation of social stabilization, cultural symbols and channel of total and services to the modern society (132). He presents out that it is the charismatic ideas and not old ideas that change the society (133). But, Marx Weber also brings in a very interesting contribution to the novel, the issue of love and friendship. Weber controversial love life seems close to what was happening in the Coupland (56, 74,132).In his bachelorhood he developed a romantic interest with his cousin Emmy Baumagarten who lived in Strasbourg (Hoenisch maiden par). Webers love for Emmerling as he used to gossip her darling continued for more than eight years despite emulation from both families. During this time their love emotions were bulging with a series of earn and spent several days of their sweet closeness in metrical composition of string (3rd par). It was in 1887 in his second military as a reserve officer in Strasbourg that Weber had an amorous but not sexual encounter with Emmy (7th par).According to the novel, there exist a very big difference in perception of ideas between the old generation and the modern generation. The difference which is a source of conflict between the generations is what connect the three philosophers to the novel. The questions raised in the novel are both germane(predicate) and applicable to the contemporary social life but at the aforementioned(prenominal) time they refer to classical sociological theories of the primitive generation. It is clear from the novel that each generation is faced by its unique problems which can be solved only by that particular generation alone.It is important to point out that in the increasing globalization and industrialization world of the twenty-first century the economical, political and sociological landscape is likely to suffer from intensify and widening class struggle. Whether primitive, revolutionary or reformist, the old generation feels compel to address thi s issue. Ultimately, Weber, Marx and Durkheim each provided conflicting accounts regarding the ways in which the urban societies of their time was deficient, and what was required to fix it (Schmaus 74).The younger cannot bear the consequences of ignoring the wise ideas the old and it is therefore necessary to embrace unity in diversity while handling societal problems aiming at acquiring necessary social change and stability. References Burris, V. The Neo-Marxist integrate of Marx and Weber on Class in Norbert Wiley (Ed. ), The Marx-Weber dispute. Newbury Park, California Sage Publications, 1997. Coupland, D. Generation X Tales for an Accelerated Culture. Canada St. Martins Press, March 15, 1991 Hoenisch, S. Max Webers personal life 1886-1893. 1995. November 27, 2008. Huang, W. S. Durkheims rules of sociological rule. Journal for offender therapy & comparative crime, (2004) 63-75,. Reed, J. 2001. Generation X tales for an accelerated culture by Douglas Coupland. Shlomo, A. Th e Social and governmental Thought of Karl Marx. Cambridge University Press, 2001. Schmaus, W. Explanation and real meaning in Rules of sociological method and division Of labor in society. Journal Of Sociological Perspectives Spring, (1995) 57-76,. .