The short
story "Love in L.A." by Dagoberto Gilb tells of a young man named Jake caught in heavy
traffic in Los Angeles. He is so involved in his daydream of a better life that he
absentmindedly bumps the rear of the car in front of him. The driver of the car he damages is an
attractive woman, and he immediately starts to hit on her.
As soon as he
initiates the conversation he begins lying to her. He tells her he is sincerely sorry he hit her
carthat he left his wallet at home, that he has accident insurance, and that he has acted in
some movies. None of these things are true. He is only saying them to deceive and seduce her.
Everything about him is false, even the license plates on the car he drives. The woman, on the
other hand, is sincere, honest, and innocent. Her character contrasts sharply with
Jake's.
There are several important and interrelated themes in this story
which are key to understanding the general theme of the title: "Love in L.A." One of
the overriding themes is the...
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