Good Citizens, Notes Towards A Dreampolitik Summary and Analysis

These two short essays which make up the conclusion to Part Two, 'The Californian Republic' considers broadly the state of American political life and the media; and the part these two play in the creation of California.

The first essay, 'Good Citizens', concentrates its initial passages on the intelligensia of Hollywood and California; the writers, artists, authors and screenwriters who together form a part of the 'liberal Left'. The essay recounts Didion's many experiences of meals and meetings, of social evenings discussing films and the presidency and book launches. In these circles the writer examines the appearance of 'the good citizen' and the 'elite' as she compares these meetings to a press interview with Nancy Reagan and a meeting with the Jaycee club of America. All three groups are, in effect...