The Last Lovely City by Alice Adams: Critical Analysis

The Last Lovely City is a story written in postmodern tendency, real description of loneliness, frustration and selfishness of modern people through the central character, Benito Zamora. Dr. Benito Zamora is a successful doctor whose wife, Elizabeth died five months ago, is struggling with notions of loneliness and inadequacy.

Dr. Benito Zamora, a widower, lives in San Francisco, leaving his elderly mother in Mexico. He is highly influenced by the materialistic way of livelihood and had a dream of earning enough money since his student life. He changes dream into reality by earning money, running a hotel business where many ladies were engaged in prostitution. Though he holds a doctorate degree, yet he is involved in prostitution business. Later, he loses his wife, then his days of loneliness begin to strike in his life. Once a party is organized by Posey, his former mistress, however, he did not have a long introduction to her. He is invited by Carla and taken to Party House, which becomes the place of illumination in his life. Seeing all ex partners at a party, he realizes his past corrupted activities committed by himself. He feels ashamed of committing a fault. At the very moment, he remembers his wife by which he becomes frustrated. Because of money and girl, he, even, forgets his mother. But now he remembers his mother and decides to return to his native place and serve people in clinics. Right now, he desires to visit San Francisco once again, but it is already late for him to return home. At last, he sees an invisible city at far distant from the sea beach.

Thus, it can be concluded that materialistic way of life holds only transitory happiness and leads us to frustration and loneliness. So one can be content with the public and maternal service rather than the illusion of sophisticated life.