Up in the Air-Thesis

Dean DeGroot

Eng. 102

Laura Cline

9-April, 2012

Up in the Air

            The novel, Up in the Air, is a story about a self-absorbed jet setting businessman by the name of Ryan Bingham. Ryan has a shallow existence but claims to like it; he has accepted it anyway, and calls it home. Air world is an endless stream of airports and random encounters with other travelers that Ryan views as friends and casual lovers. His only real contact with people on the ground is his family. He views their life as a boring structured life that requires commitment. Even though Ryan is successful in his career his only real commitment is his pursuit of a million frequent flyer miles. His “Holy Grail.”

http://www.gizmocrazed.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/airplane-rain-clouds.jpg

            The movie, Up in the Air, is a story about a self-absorbed jet setting businessman by the name of Ryan Bingham. Ryan’s existence in the movie is not quit as shallow as in the book, but it is obvious that it is an isolated one. He travels alone in the novel, but travels with a female business partner in the movie. Alex, a casual love interest in the book, has a bigger role in the movie and Ryan’s life. The movie has more relationship type emotions while spending a great deal more time with what Ryan actually does for a living. Firing people.

The novel, written in 2001, is more indicative of society during affluent times and how easy we can get caught up in our pursuit of a “Holy Grail” while neglecting our relationships. The movie, which came out 8 years later, portrays a more emotional side to Ryan’s character and relays the message that deep meaningful relationships are what keep people going through the tough times.