red slippers

      Rushidie's short story describes the auction of an item so sacred that is has magical powers in the minds of its buyers...... the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." The story is extremely detailed; he explains the crowded, vibrant scene of the auction room. "Behind bulletproof glass, the ruby slippers sparkle .....We do not know the limits of their powers." Fascinated and driven to obtain the precious slippers.  The people there are form all walk f life and everyone want s the items and yet the auctioneers seemingly have all the power, they are the ones in control.  This reminds me of auctions I have seen on TV. People go crazy over items like Elvis’s clothing or half eaten sandwich. To the bidder this item holds some magical power that they need it and will spend whatever it takes. The slippers had power in the movie but now hold only the memory and imagination that someone had given them. “We revere the ruby slippers because we believe they can make us invulnerable to witches; because of their powers of reverse metamorphosis, their affirmation of a lost state of normalcy in which we have almost ceased to believe and to which the slippers promise us we can return; and because they shine like the footwear of the Gods. (92)” Rushdie makes it seem as though so much can be gained from the slippers. The idea of klicking them together three times and all your fears disappear. People live with these ideas that there is more out there.

      In a short summary, the narrator has sworn to obtain the ruby slippers to win back the love of his life. He fails, but consoles himself with the thought that the next day another item of inestimable value will be on the block and he will have another chance.
      Rushdie satire is very well said throughout the story. Satire is a powerful tool in persuasion. Satire is a wonderful method for an author to make a statement and to prove a point without offending to many individuals almost as a joke. It is an excellent method of taking a step back in order to review and improve upon the ideals and personal beliefs of society.