The world we live in is governed by a certain reality: when events happen, the fact that they happened becomes an absolute truth. Human beings, however, have the freedom to distort that truth by lying. Why, and under what conditions, would we be dishonest about things that happened? This is one of the many questions that Tom Wolfe addresses in his novel "The Bonfire of the Vanities." Wolfe satirizes 1980s New York using stereotypes and exaggerations. Many of Wolfe's characters are willing to ignore the truth if it serves their own selfish needs. Since these characters represent the society of that era, Wolfe conveys the idea that the inhabitants of 1980s New York are more than willing to distort the truth when it suits them. Furthermore, even individuals who initially intend to stick to the truth will be forced to turn away from it as a result of all other forms of corruption. Sometimes what is considered "true" can be so far from reality that the truth becomes almost irrelevant. Consequently, those who intend to stick to the truth must, at times, disregard it in the name of practicality. In essence, New York has become a place where everyone ultimately, in one way or another, must ignore the truth. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One character who denies the truth from the beginning of the novel is Peter Fallow, a British reporter. When Fallow first hears about the Lamb case, she begins to build a story around it. He includes details he knows are false, such as that Henry Lamb was an honor student. He also claims that the questionable evidence is absolutely true and exaggerates the facts. He is not sure whether the story he is printing is true or not, but he prints it anyway because he knows it will bring him fame and recognition. His selfish needs override any concern for the truth. Wolfe uses Fallow to represent the media of the time as a whole, thus conveying the idea that the media is a false institution. Newspapers are more interested in sales than the truth, so they take Fallow's story at face value, without bothering to verify it. This demonstrates how one person's contempt for the truth can snowball into a problem, ultimately corrupting society as a whole. The New York media is a shining example of how dishonesty and self-interest can fuel a culture of deception. Two other figures who put self-interest before the truth are District Attorney Abe Weiss and the mayor. Both characters, in response to the Lamb case, only take actions that will bring them the respect of the people, regardless of whether these actions are founded in truth and justice. These two characters are representatives of the politicians of the time, who only care about elections. Their actions in the Lamb case are governed by what they think people want. For example, before the Lamb case becomes a hot topic, Weiss intends to give it up due to lack of evidence. However, when the people begin to attack his office for not taking action, Weiss changes his position and loses his concern for the truth, because he wants to please the people and get elected. This is another example of how a corrupt society can corrupt individuals, as Weiss and the mayor do. According to Wolfe, public figures in 1980s New York act only out of concern for their campaigns and not out of a desire to uphold facts and morality. The development of Sherman McCoy is another example of how New Yorkers must often stray from morality. to survive. A man.