Gary Shteyngart utilized his newly published novel Super Sad True Love Story to bring to focus the depictions of race and ethnicity that is prevalent in society today. The setting of the book is in the much more technologically advanced future; however, the depictions in the book are symbolic of the happenings in today’s society. Thus, by examining certain passages within the book by Shteyngart it can be seen through the depictions of race and ethnicity that stereotypical images of certain races or ethnicities are prevalent throughout the society today.
The first passage from the book depicted race and ethnicity is the passage: “… an inbred Russian willingness to get drunk and chummy, an inbred Jewish willingness to laugh strategically at myself…” (88) Within this passage the stereotype of Russian chumminess and drunkenness was portrayed along with the stereotype that the Jewish laugh at them-selves “strategically.” This passage stands out because this passage showcased the understanding and point of view of Lenny towards himself. Not only that, but this passage also relates to the book as a whole because it showed the specific stereotype towards a race and ethnicity that was portrayed in the book. Specifically, this passage showed Lenny’s understanding towards the stereotypes that exists in society, which can be seen throughout the book. I believe this passage is significant because it brings a deeper focus to the stereotypes casted by society through the eyes of the very race and or ethnicity that are being stereotyped.
The second passage is “…America people liked to ignore their week points and to stress their incredible accomplishments.” (138) The passage depicts the stereotype of Americans. This passage stood out because of the reference that Lenny made to stereotype of the “America people” even though he is American. Because by stating the passage in third person, Shteyngart showed that Americans do not only stereotype against other ethnicities and races but also get stereotyped by themselves and others as well. To the theme as a whole, this passage showed the stereotypes towards Americans as an ethnic group. This proved to be important because it showed the stereotypes from different points of views.
The third passage is the ethnic stereotype of the “… ties of the family,” (166) that is believed to be predominant in Korean, Asian, and Jewish ethnic groups. In the case of the passage from the book: the Koreans and Jews. This passage therefore showed the stereotype of the family piety of Koreans and Jews. The tie to the theme in the whole novel is that stereotypes are predominant in every aspect of life. I believe that family closeness is something to be happy and proud of; however, the depictions of the very closeness can sometimes hold negative meanings.
Over all, throughout SSTLS stereotypes of various races and ethnicities were depicted. The set depictions of the races and ethnicities cause stereotypes and discrimination between people, which in the end causes disunity among individuals and countries.
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