A Fool’s Gold

The article A Fool’s Gold functions as a symbol of authorship and the performative nature of cultural narratives. Ostensibly a true crime story about a missing gold bar and a violent attack, it gradually reveals itself as a vehicle for Lenny’s self-promotion, with Hannah nominally credited as the author. The article exposes how media narratives can distort reality, elevate certain voices, and exclude others, particularly working-class and racialized perspectives. It also embodies the intersections of class, race, and privilege, demonstrating how stories about “the people” are often controlled and monetized by those with cultural and institutional authority.

Alderton Farm

The Alderton Farm symbolizes both narrative construction and the illusion of authenticity. Presented in A Fool’s Gold as the site of the Universalists commune and Jake’s misadventures, it initially grounds the article in a tangible location, lending credibility to the...