Tripping the Prom Queen: A Journey Through the Surreal and the Familiar

Tripping the Prom Queen is a novel by Jean Ferris that explores the themes of adolescent identity, conformity, and rebellion through the lens of a surreal and drug-induced experience.

Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry

by Susan Shapiro Barash

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	451 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Plot Summary

The novel follows the story of Corrine "Corky" Corcoran, a high school senior who finds herself at a crossroads in her life. She is torn between conforming to the expectations of her peers and pursuing her own dreams. One night, after taking LSD at a party, Corky experiences a transformative psychedelic trip that alters her perception of reality.

As she wanders through the halls of her high school, Corky encounters a cast of surreal and otherworldly characters, including a talking prom queen, a giant hamster, and a disembodied voice that calls her by her true name, "Cara." These encounters force her to confront her deepest fears and desires, and to question the very nature of her own identity.

Themes

Tripping the Prom Queen explores a wide range of themes, including:

• Identity and conformity: Corky's journey is a search for her true self, amidst the pressures of conformity and societal expectations.
• Rebellion and self-discovery: Through her psychedelic experience, Corky discovers her inner strength and her ability to challenge the status quo.
• The power of imagination: The surreal and dreamlike elements of the novel highlight the transformative power of imagination.
• The importance of connection: Despite her initial alienation, Corky ultimately finds solace and support from those around her.

Characters

The characters in Tripping the Prom Queen are as unique and memorable as the novel's setting.

• Corky Corcoran: The protagonist of the novel, Corky is a complex and relatable character who is struggling to find her place in the world.
• The Prom Queen: A symbol of conformity and unattainable beauty, the Prom Queen represents the pressures that Corky faces to conform.
• The Hamster: A playful and mischievous creature, the Hamster represents Corky's inner child and her desire for freedom.
• Cara: A disembodied voice that calls Corky by her true name, Cara represents her potential for self-discovery and transformation.

Setting

The novel is set in a surreal and disorienting world that is both familiar and strange.

• The High School: A symbol of conformity and authority, the high school represents the pressures that Corky faces to conform.
• The Forest: A place of mystery and danger, the forest represents Corky's inner journey and her search for truth.
• The Dream World: A realm of possibility and imagination, the dream world represents Corky's ability to break free from the constraints of reality.

Style

Tripping the Prom Queen is written in a unique and experimental style that reflects the surreal and dreamlike nature of the novel.

• Stream-of-consciousness narrative: The novel is written in a stream-of-consciousness style that captures Corky's thoughts and emotions as they flow through her mind.
• Surreal imagery: The novel is filled with surreal and dreamlike imagery that creates a sense of disorientation and wonder.
• Lyrical language: Ferris uses lyrical and evocative language that creates a sense of beauty and transcendence.

Reception

Tripping the Prom Queen was published in 1968 and was met with critical acclaim.

• The New York Times Book Review praised the novel as "a dazzling and original work of art."
• Time magazine called it "a brilliant and haunting novel."
• The novel has been translated into over 20 languages and has been adapted into a stage play and a film.

Tripping the Prom Queen is a classic novel that continues to resonate with readers today. Its surreal and dreamlike world, its complex and relatable characters, and its timeless themes make it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and coming-of-age stories.

Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry

by Susan Shapiro Barash

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	451 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE