Hunter S. Thompson uses a dynamic and powerful word choice in his writings. In “The Scum Also Rises”, the title itself is a coarse allegory to the novel by Hemingway, “The Sun Also Rises.” Thompson’s writing is very straightforward with each section being broken off by a descriptive and comical title such as,
“The suck-tide reaches San Clemente…Ziegler beings the news to the boss…General Haig and the bag if dimes…The sybaritic priest and the mentally retarded Rabbi…More talk to the ‘Suicide Option’.”
Thompson sets the scene for a morbid administration that seems to be falling apart, slowly decaying, until finally the bottom falls out. He describes the “rotting roofs of our nation’s capital” in the first paragraph.
“The rats are deserting the ship at high speed.” Thomson uses this quote in the very beginning of the story and compares the corrupt politicians to vile creatures scurrying out of a ship.
Thomson often refers the event as the “Deathwatch” since everyone seemed to know the end result and was just sitting around watching to downfall of Nixon. He also makes reference to the ‘suicide option’ that also makes reference to a self-destructive death of his position as president.
“The wheels of doom begin rolling.” This statement sets the stage of the unavoidable downfall and impeachment trial.
His vocabulary is sarcastically cynical during the piece such as, “The Boss himself had appointed to the Court might now cheerfully endorse a concept of presidential immunity that mocked both the U.S. Constitution and Magna Carta…” This particular word choice voices Thomson’s thoughts and the subject and make Nixon’s defenses seem so far fetched they are on the verge of insanity.
During the ocean scene, Thomson makes reference to the “sucking water” around Nixon’s ankles. This is a foreshadowing word choice on what’s in store for Nixon. The water (court) wants to suck him out to sea to drown in his own lies and cease to be president. Throughout the piece there are words that allude to death, rot, destruction, which parallels the break down and death of Nixon’s administration.
The Lead of the “The “scum” also rises” captures the reader by incorporating a crafty quote as the first sentence. “American politics will never be the same”. This makes the reader wonder why will it never be the same? And keeps them reading to the next paragraph. Thomson then describes the place from which he is writing and the dark dreadful scene that is the Capitol. This is foreshadowing and sets the mood for the rest of the story.
The ending is also very metaphorical. He describes a disoriented Nixon, stumbling to get on the helicopter. This is the story seen by Hunter S., and heard by Hunter S. He brings himself into the story once again in his final description of Nixon exiting the Capitol and the presidency altogether.
Question for the class:
“The scum also rises” is play on words to Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” What similar ideas and writing strategies so you see in these two pieces? Why do you think this piece eludes the Hemingway’s book? Here is the poem Hemingway presents at the beginning of his book, which his title is based on:
"The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
I would think that Thompson alluded to Hemingway's famous novel because of the clever play on words and the recognition the title of the article would have with the American public. I think Thompson's article shows that not only do the "good guys" get ahead or "rise," but so do the "bastards" (in this case, Nixon and his administration). He shows that, no matter what, there will be a continual rise and fall of power and prestige in American politics. Thompson's occasional short, declarative sentences are reminiscent of Hemingway's style of short and varied sentence structure.
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