Cosmopolis

Eric Packer is a successful young man that seems to not have any empathy of any kind. He wasn’t born rich so he didn’t live his whole life in wealth and comfort. This story has rather a different approach to privilege if it was ever meant to have any approach to begin with. In my opinion, Delillo wants to show the pathetic side of having privilege without victimizing people who have it (in this case money and power is privilege). At first the main character appears to be an arrogant and ignorant rich guy that one would think he was grow up with silver spoon in his mouth. He wants to go to the other side of the city despite the traffic and ignoring the protest and protesters for a haircut that he can clearly have even in his car. Along his journey, we learn more about his personality that is not pleasant or relatable but it’s understandable. He’s so insecure and scared. He doesn’t trust, care or like anyone. The place he is insisting on getting a haircut at is actually a humble barber shop where he used to go with his dad as a child. Spending a day with this character makes us see the dark side of being wealthy and powerful. If you were born in a wealthy family you probably wouldn’t struggle to fit in. he might be a millionaire but he doesn't even have a freedom of a mere taxi driver who can get out of his car and pee under a bridge. He's trapped in his small world (his car) and surrounded with people who don't really care about him. Delillo seem to have a specific political view that affected on this novel. I don’t have enough knowledge in the field to clearly point out or discuss the author’s political intentions. Overall this novel addresses issues of privilege but a different way and from a privileged person’s point of view.