Raoul Duke: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:58, 29 December 2024

Raoul Duke is a fictional character and the alter ego of Hunter S. Thompson, a prominent American journalist and author. Duke is best known as the protagonist of Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is a gonzo journalism account of a drug-fueled road trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Character Overview

Raoul Duke is depicted as a journalist who embarks on a journey to cover a motorcycle race in Las Vegas, but the assignment quickly devolves into a chaotic exploration of the American dream, fueled by a vast array of psychoactive drugs. The character is often seen wearing aviator sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt, and a bucket hat, which have become iconic symbols associated with Thompson himself.

Literary Significance

The character of Raoul Duke is a central figure in the genre of gonzo journalism, a style of journalism that blends factual reporting with fictional elements and first-person narrative. This style was pioneered by Hunter S. Thompson and is characterized by its subjective perspective and satirical tone.

Cultural Impact

Raoul Duke has become a cultural icon, representing the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The character's adventures in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas have been adapted into a film directed by Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp as Duke. The film has contributed to the enduring popularity of the character and the novel.

References

External Links

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-[[File:Duke and gonzo.png|thumb]] {{Infobox character
+{{Infobox person
 | name = Raoul Duke
-| first = ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]''
+| image =
-| creator = [[Hunter S. Thompson]]
+| caption =
-| occupation = Journalist
+| birth_date =
-| gender = Male
+| birth_place =
+| death_date =
+| death_place =
+| nationality = American
+| occupation = Journalist, Author
+| notable_works = [[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]
 }}
-'''Raoul Duke''' is a fictional character and the protagonist in [[Hunter S. Thompson]]'s novel ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]''. Duke is a semi-autobiographical character, often considered a [[gonzo journalism]] alter ego of Thompson himself. The character is known for his wild, drug-fueled adventures and his cynical, satirical view of American society.
+'''Raoul Duke''' is a fictional character and the [[alter ego]] of [[Hunter S. Thompson]], a prominent American journalist and author. Duke is best known as the protagonist of Thompson's novel ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]'', which is a [[gonzo journalism]] account of a drug-fueled road trip to [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].
-==Character Overview==
-Raoul Duke is depicted as a journalist who embarks on a journey to [[Las Vegas]] with his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, to cover a motorcycle race for a magazine. The trip quickly devolves into a chaotic exploration of the American Dream, fueled by a vast array of drugs and alcohol. Duke's narrative is characterized by his hallucinatory experiences and his critical observations of the culture and politics of the 1970s.
-==Literary Significance==
-Raoul Duke is a central figure in the genre of [[gonzo journalism]], a style of journalism that blends factual reporting with fictional elements and personal narrative. This style was pioneered by Thompson, and Duke serves as a vehicle for Thompson's commentary on society. The character's adventures in ''Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'' are emblematic of the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the disillusionment and hedonism of the era.
-==Cultural Impact==
+== Character Overview ==
-Raoul Duke has become an iconic figure in American literature and popular culture. The character was famously portrayed by [[Johnny Depp]] in the 1998 film adaptation of ''Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'', directed by [[Terry Gilliam]]. Depp's portrayal further cemented Duke's status as a symbol of the counterculture and the excesses of the American Dream.
+Raoul Duke is depicted as a [[journalist]] who embarks on a journey to cover a [[motorcycle]] race in Las Vegas, but the assignment quickly devolves into a chaotic exploration of the American dream, fueled by a vast array of [[psychoactive drugs]]. The character is often seen wearing [[aviator sunglasses]], a Hawaiian shirt, and a bucket hat, which have become iconic symbols associated with Thompson himself.
-==Themes==
+== Literary Significance ==
-The character of Raoul Duke explores several themes, including:
+The character of Raoul Duke is a central figure in the genre of [[gonzo journalism]], a style of journalism that blends factual reporting with [[fictional]] elements and [[first-person narrative]]. This style was pioneered by Hunter S. Thompson and is characterized by its [[subjective]] perspective and [[satirical]] tone.
-* '''The American Dream''': Duke's journey is a satirical examination of the American Dream, highlighting its contradictions and the disillusionment of the 1970s.
+== Cultural Impact ==
-* '''Drug Culture''': Duke's extensive drug use is a central element of the narrative, serving as both a literal and metaphorical lens through which he views the world.
+Raoul Duke has become a cultural icon, representing the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The character's adventures in ''Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'' have been adapted into a [[film]] directed by [[Terry Gilliam]], starring [[Johnny Depp]] as Duke. The film has contributed to the enduring popularity of the character and the novel.
-* '''Counterculture''': Duke embodies the spirit of the countercultural movements, challenging societal norms and authority.
-==Also see==
+== See Also ==
 * [[Hunter S. Thompson]]
+* [[Gonzo journalism]]
 * [[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (film)]]
-* [[Gonzo journalism]]
 * [[Counterculture of the 1960s]]
-{{Hunter S. Thompson}}
+== References ==
-{{Fear and Loathing}}
+{{Reflist}}
+== External Links ==
+* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Hunter_S._Thompson Hunter S. Thompson on WikiMD]
+* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Fear_and_Loathing_in_Las_Vegas Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on WikiMD]
 [[Category:Fictional journalists]]
-[[Category:Hunter S. Thompson characters]]
+[[Category:Hunter S. Thompson]]
+[[Category:American literature]]
+[[Category:Counterculture of the 1960s]]
 [[Category:Literary characters introduced in 1971]]