Hotel California

                                 Dreaming of “Hotel California”

       The journey to California has always been one of innocence and hope that inspired countless immigrants to travel by land, air and sea to experience it’s magic. It started off from the Gold Rush at Sutter’s Mill, where people came in search of instant success and gratification. “Hotel California” by Eagles is portraying an image of California that is obsessed with materialism and how it leads to disappointment of the hopes and dreams than many have when traveling to California. It is a cautionary warning to those that are awed by the false image of California unaware of the harsh reality that leaves men in a tortured state of desire for wealth, fame, success that will eventually lead them to self-destruction caused by greed.

           The first dreamers, that laid the foundation for California dreaming, in search for a better life was ruled by success transforming the way California was viewed world-wide. The Eagles, originally from the mid-west, were also pursuing the California dream of making it rich and becoming successful musicians. But many dreamers were not as successful in their climb to success as the Eagles. James J Rawls, “A People, A Place, A Dream” defines this by providing us of the paradoxes that have created California. The accounts of “Hundreds of diaries and reminisces extoll the charms…others speak of the painful contrast between California’s vaunted promises and it’s actual conditions.” The use of “shimmering light” in the poem portrays an image of guidance necessary to travel through California. Without this guidance or a sense of hope people might get lost in this vast land.

          “Hotel California” is a metaphor for the multitude of diverse international people that are arriving in the Golden State, which is open year-round and invites all that are interested. Many newcomers that arrive in California are in search of wealth and fame which distracts them from the true pleasures California has to offer. It is a place of peace and beauty that is overshadowed by struggle to get rich. The narrator is cautioning us to enter California by the ringing of “mission bell” which leads us to question if he’s making the right choice to go to California comparing it to “heaven or hell.” He’s not sure if his search for better life really was worth all the talk that’s coming from the unseen voices, of society, all around him. There is a false image that is portrayed of California being a “lovely place, such a lovely face” when in reality it covers for the fakeness of Hollywood, materialism, greed and lack of values.

            We are now led on our journey, by the speaker, who is welcomed by a woman “she” which could be a metaphor for “materialism” that is ruling California. This allure of materialism is defined by people that are living in California who are obsessed with expensive “Tiffany” jewelry that has their mind all “twisted”. The obsession for money is leading to contorted view on how to live life creating a California culture based on fakeness.  People are conforming to this mass image resulting in a loss of individuality and creating negative behaviors and desires in people. Girls from all over the world, mesmerized by the glittering images being fed to them by the media, are coming to try making it big in the movies as actors, dancers and singers. Materialism has led to purchasing Mercedes Benz and befriending “pretty, pretty boys” only for looks to boost one’s own ego. Happiness gained from simple things is being disregarded for who can dress the best and own the fanciest things. It’s not matter of one’s character that defines California anymore but who can show off their success and fame more blatantly It is a paradox resulting in lack of community and caring because everyone is only worried about themselves and they’re reaching for the stars on the boulevard. The stanza from “Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers describes the shallowness that California has rampantly promoted throughout the world by “Pay your surgeon very well/To break the spell of aging/Celebrity skin is this your skin/Or is that war your waging” (line 13-16). Many accounts show that people realize that living a life of materialism will never bring sense of peace and fulfillment in one’s life. The constant race for success caused many dreamers to regret their journey to California.

            The fourth stanza shifts to a haunting tone where comparison between past and present are made.  The year of 1969: Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Ted Kennedy drove off bridge in Chappaquiddick, and the Woodstock festival began, shifted pop culture, music and society. It was a time of glorifying achievements, inspiration, creativity, and self-expression of individuality. It was a memorable past compared to the present which is lacking in such aspirations. California is being seen as a haunting shadow of what was and has been lost.  This awakens us to come to a realization remembering a time of happiness, in past where life was simpler and trying to forget how materialistic life has now become. California, the great, with its vast history of freedom, innovation, and ideas is being resorted to a state that is forcing people to change who they are and create “alibis” that will define them instead of their true selves.  People are at an uncertain stage in life where they are viewing their life though a “mirror” which symbolizes they are lost and searching for their identity. 

 

            California -culture of success, fame and greed- which people choose to take many times have led them to their downfall of misery. They are left with dreams shattered and just memories of a once happy, carefree life and have become “just prisoners here of our own device” (line 39). Once a land of freedom has now become a land that constricts their every thought and view. This portrayal of ending to California dream is similar to those of the many gold rush experienced by men that were left depressed and broke without making it rich, instead being left to yearn for the home and memories they left behind.  No matter how hard ones tries to escape the pull of California and its materialistic culture it is something that can’t be done.  This is the reality of California having been “programmed to receive” and once you have arrived you can choose to take a break but not leave permanently, “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave”(line45). No matter where you go in the world the culture of California will always stay with you-it is embedded inside our self’s, impossible to separate now. The only ending to the California Dream is that of death, the end result of the chase for success and fame. It doesn’t matter if you achieved it or not that is where everyone will end up-in the grave.