doctorate in American Studies from Yale University and is the author of many non fiction

books such as The Right Stuff, In Our Time, and Clutter and Vine. Bonfire of the Vanities

was his first fiction work. This book was published by Bantam Books Inc. and was

I believe the theme of this book to be true to oneself and trust no one but oneself.

It is show many times in this book that people will go below their morals simply for

personal advancement. It is also shown that human nature allows for many changes of

The main character in this book is Sherman McCoy. Sherman begins the story as a

wealthy bonds salesmen living in a $3,200,000 apartment on Park Avenue. Sherman

refers to himself as "Master of the Universe" many times throughout the story. This

shows his feelings of superiority over the rest of the human race. Sherman was "well

brought up and from all the right schools". His father is a retired, wealthy, successful

businessman that is well respected throughout the world. Sherman's wife, Judy,

herself to drive, and as she is pulling away, she hits one of the boys. They drive away

Sherman's wife completely rejects him, his friends do not speak to him, and Maria is no

laying at the side of the road at the boys, then gets in the car. Maria has taken it upon

the police track Sherman down and he agrees to turn himself in quietly. His lawyer

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mercedes African-American, Master Universe, Books Inc, Cry Night, Maria Sherman, Sherman Maria, McCoy Sherman, Higgins Clark, Bonfire Vanities, Yale University, story begins, cry night, throughout story, double crossed, bonfire vanities, sherman's wife,
Approximate Word count = 784
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)