Waugh's Vile Bodies

In Vile Bodies, Waugh addresses the frivolous falsehoods in gossip columns, which captivate the public and distract them from more serious societal problems. During the 1920’s, as well as today, it would seem that people show more interest in comforting, trivial topics instead of distressing important ones. For this reason, gossip columns can be a useful tool to wield. This tool gives authorities the ability to controls citizens, by controlling their access to information, and by using the populations ignorance to influence their world view. Through this cultural peer pressure, people are encouraged to ostracise anyone who doesn't keep themselves up to date on the most recent falsehoods. Driven by the people who are most wrapped up this

fabulous fiction, the bright young things, who are a critical component that helps drive this cycle of ignorance. And even if an incident were extreme enough to alter the system, it would only be temporal. Because the tool of misinformation only becomes more useful in war-time, as a motivator. Which are used to support these lies, that work well to maintain the systems that continue the war. Nonsensical falsehoods in gossip columns are enticing distractions that are a ideal tool for controlling the public; if they no longer sedate the public, there is a risk that citizens could change the status quo.

When reading Vile Bodies, and enduring even now, it would seem that people show more interest in comforting, trivial topics instead of distressing important ones. As Mrs Ape puts it, “Hope’s what you want and Hope’s what I got.” (Waugh 13) Throughout history, this hope she speaks of has been a useful tool for people wanting to escape reality. But why do humans tend to believe in these frivolous fabrications? The simple answer is that it is easier, and more comfortable, to pretend that everything is wonderful, while ignoring the discomforts and problems of the real world. However, in ignoring the world around them, people become more susceptible to manipulation through their falsehoods.
This tool gives authorities the ability to controls citizens, by controlling their access to information, and by using the populations ignorance to influence their world view. We see the border authorities utilizing this censorship when they say, “If we can’t stamp out literature in the country, we can at least stop its being brought in from outside. (Waugh 17) This ability to label something as propaganda, would not be as effective in censoring the population unless they are willing to ignoring its use. To ensure that the public is willingly ignorant, requires the societies values to be willfully inverted to the point where “gossip columnists enjoy a prestige nowhere accorded those with literary aspirations.” (Decoste 9) In brief, the population must willingly distract themselves from information.
Through supported peer pressure, people are encouraged to ostracise anyone who doesn't keep themselves up to date on the most recent falsehoods.

A good example of someone being ostracised for this reason is Edward Throbbing. “He’s Miles’ brother, you know, only he’s frightfully dim and political, and doesn’t know anybody.” (Waugh 21) This position confirms another inversion of values in society, wherein value is assigned to a person based on who they know, with no value given to what they know. And serves a a parallel example of gossip columns being more important than actual news. Once encouraged to adopt this way of thinking, people are capable of convincing others to follow in their

footsteps
The people who are most wrapped up this fabulous fiction, the bright young things, are a critical component that helps drive this cycle of ignorance. Through her dreams in coma, Agatha provides a analogous example when she says, “ I thought we were all driving round in a motor race and none of us could stop, and there was a enormous audience composed entirely of gossip writers and... people like that, all shouting at us at once to go faster, and car after car kept crashing...” (Waugh 155) The symbolism in this monologue explicitly displays the fatal features of this cycle; how the society provides encouragement to people who live brash lifestyles, by convincing them that their actions are ideal. In spite of this support, there is still a chance for the facade to fall, but it would require something to startle those in the system and those observing the system.
Even if an incident were extreme enough to alter the system, it would only be temporary, as no state would give up control easily.

The reaction would be to reinforce the facade using extreme measures. In Vile Bodies, this is announced by the rector, “Worse, far worse. ...the most terrible and unexpected thing - War has been declared.” (Waugh 181) This news is not only extreme enough, to burst the bogus bubble, but it also has the surprise factor. In taking the case of Colonel Blount, we can see how these falsehoods shielded him from reality, as his initial guess at the news is completely mundane. The contradiction between the expected news and reality was enough to disrupt the everyday lives, at least

briefly.
The tool of misinformation only becomes more useful in war-time, as a motivator. Unquestionably this information is provided in Nina’s letter, wherein she writes, “Van has got a divine job making up all the war news, and he invented a lovely story about you the other day, ...and there’s what they call popular agitation...” (Waugh 183) The characteristics of these frivolous falsehoods work well to redefine the battlefield as an adventurous place full of glory, and recruit more people into their tumultuous trap.

These lies work well to maintain the systems that continue the war. And on the final page, they are satirically symbolized through the actions of the General, a symbol of authority.“The windows of the stranded motor-car shone over the wasted expanse of the battlefield. Then the General pulled down the blinds, shutting out that sad scene.” (Waugh 186) This shows the true value and utility of using falsehoods in gossip columns, they can maintain power through ignorance. In other words: They are enticing distractions that are the ideal tool for controlling the public; if they no longer sedate the public, there is threat to the current power structure.