Analyse af 'The Decline of the West'

“The Decline of the West” is a short story written by Hanif Kureishi in the year 2010. It deals with the modern western capitalistic society and its affections on family life and structure. The story is set in the upper-class society in London. It is about the credit crash and a fired banker and his spoiled, demanding family. His family always wants new expensive material things and he always delivers. But now that he has been fired and is in debt worth two years pay, he doesn’t know how to tell them nor what to do.

There is this scene where his youngest son Billy asks him for a new guitar. Before Mike even gets the chance to react Imogen (his wife) joins the conversation quickly and says that Mike sure did promise Billy “a guitar, an amp, and a microphone, so now you just have to deliver”. Mike reacts and replies with; “Just call me the delivery man” ironically, and the conversation continues: “That’s my name. But even you might have noticed there’s a financial crash taking place.” Imogen replies with, it’s just another excuse just to let people down. Mike, who already is in a lot of debt, then promises Imogen a new laptop, a printer, and the newest iPod ironically. He even says that everyone should have what they want whenever they want it. He even encourages them to make a list, so he won’t forget anyone. Imogen answers very annoyed with; At least – some sense! Things are moving forward here!” What Mike wants is to ensure the family financially for the next 2 years due to the huge debt he has. The way he wants to secure the financial problem is, by buying whatever they point on. Though they do not need the materials, they steady them. Is it the right way to ensure the family’s financial problems like this? Does the family appreciate all the hard work done by the father, in order for them to live a wonderful life? The family seems to be interested only in the luxurious materials and having a high status amongst the others in the neighborhood.