The Dream Concept

No I’m not a car buff. This is the 2005 Maybach Exelero, which is a concept car. I would like to call this my dream car. I love the sleek, black color. I also like the interior. I would hope that in the future, when I’m successful and if I had enough money, I could purchase this ride. I also have to hope that Maybach decides to invest in a mass production of this car. Am I materialistic? Perhaps, just a bit. I feel that there is nothing wrong with a few nice items here and there. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t like to have an expensive home to live in, or have a few nice suits in my wardrobe. In At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers, Salman Rushdie explores materialism and our thirst for the finer things in life.

In the story, there is an auction for ruby slippers and everyone seems to be in on it. Other items that also were for bid were the Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty, the Alps, and the Sphinx. From movie stars to politicians, the main attraction was to see “the ruby slippers sparkle.” (page 88) The slippers represents what we all want in life. It may be something materialistic or something not of face value, such as happiness. “We revere the ruby slippers because we believe they an make us invulnerable to witches.” (page 92) By attaining the slippers, it provides us with a sense of satisfaction and an escape from the ills of the world.

The Bidders in the story represents all of us. We see something that we want, we go after it by any means necessary. Having a certain item allows us to be accepted by our peers. “From this high ground we can shoot down at our enemies…we take pride in our short fuses.” (page 90) We never take the time to think about we already have. It seems that once that high priced item is in possession, we tend to seek out some sort of approval others that makes us feel better.

The Auctioneers is sort of the evil that comes with lusting for the slippers. When I see that Maybach Exelero, I imagine what it brings to me. It gives me a sense of cool. Not too many people are driving around town in that car. With that comes the women also. They would wonder just how much money I have to have a beautiful car such as that. What the Auctioneers won’t tell you is the downside of having this ride. Just how far are you willing to go to have that nice car? They provided a presentation for us. Now it is our choice whether we bid for the item, for “it is to the Auctioneers we go to establish the value of our pasts, of our futures, of our lives.” (page 101)

A particular incident in the story involves Gale, the narrator’s cousin. Gale is a bidder for the slippers at the auction. Realizing this, the narrator decides to partake in the auction as well, to “offer the miracle-shoes to Gale in all humility.” (page 97) During the auction, the narrator becomes obsessed with acquiring the slippers, but realizing the obsession, leaves Gale at the auction. This was interesting in that it shows just what greed can do to an individual. It can allow us to become delirious and lose our senses.

That Maybach Exelero is a beauty to look at right? I may need to take the narrator’s advice and leave this auction as well. I think I’m losing it.