Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Paul Ashdown

Committee Members

Edward Caudill, Bonnie Riechert

Abstract

This thesis explores Hunter S. Thompson's writings about Richard M. Nixon from 1960 to 1994. Thompson expressed strong animosity toward Nixon, but most of the more outlandish articles he wrote about Nixon were fabrications. Thompson's writings were often ambiguous and contradictory. Sources used for research included books written by Thompson, books of letters Thompson sent to family and friends, books about Thompson and Richard Nixon, and books about the Watergate scandal. This thesis addresses the questions of why Thompson was so fascinated by Nixon, and why he wrote on Nixon for almost 40 years. It also addresses the question of whether Thompson actually despised Nixon as he claimed to, or whether he felt a kindred spirit with Nixon. The purpose of this thesis is to identify themes and rhetoric in Thompson's writings before, during and after the Watergate scandal, to compare what Thompson wrote about Nixon to what other writers were writing, and to determine if Thompson's style and viewpoint changed during the period of study. The important factor that distinguished Thompson from other writers during the Watergate scandal was that Thompson wrote in the "gonzo" style—a reportorial term he adopted and glorified that emphasized subjectivity, satire, humor, entertainment and fabrication. Another important difference is that gonzo is about process— the story is usually as much about the author getting the story, as it is the story itself. It is also important to note that while Thompson did advocate Nixon resigning the presidency, many reporters at the time had the same desire to see Nixon resign. Thompson distinguished himself from the more mainstream press by voicing his attitudes and opinions in the "gonzo" reporting style, which openly satirized the presidency and other reporters. During the research-gathering portion of the thesis, it was ascertained that Thompson wrote approximately 40 articles that focused mainly on Nixon, and 150 more articles that mentioned Nixon. Many of Thompson's articles that were used for the thesis were written for Rolling Stone, the main magazine he wrote for during the Watergate scandal, and were compiled in books that were used for the thesis research.

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