Crash by J. G. Ballard
"Crash" by J.G. Ballard is a provocative novel that explores the intersection of obsession, technology, and human sexuality through the lens of car crashes. The narrative centers on Robert Vaughan, a character who derives a disturbing pleasure from automotive accidents, which ultimately leads to his tragic demise in a fiery crash aimed at the actress Elizabeth Taylor. The story unfolds as the narrator, who becomes entwined with Vaughan, recounts his own traumatic experience from a car accident that severely injures him and results in the death of his friend’s husband.
As the narrator recovers, he finds himself increasingly aroused by the incident, developing a complex relationship with Dr. Helen Remington, the widow of the accident victim. Their connection is complicated further by Vaughan’s voyeuristic presence, as he captures their intimate moments and shares his obsession with car crashes through photographs and bizarre fantasies. The novel delves into themes of desire and destruction, as Vaughan’s fixation on accidents influences the narrator, leading him to a similar obsession. The story culminates in Vaughan's fatal attempt to merge his fantasies with reality, leaving the narrator to grapple with the profound impact of Vaughan’s life and death on his own psyche. "Crash" challenges readers to consider the darker aspects of modern existence and the ways in which trauma can reshape personal identities and desires.
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Crash
First published: 1973
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—cultural exploration
Time of work: The 1970’s
Locale: London, England
The Plot
J. G. Ballard’s Crash is a story of obsession and technological horror. The novel begins with an account of Robert Vaughan’s fiery, suicidal death in a car crash. Vaughan attempted to kill Elizabeth Taylor as well but missed her limousine and crashed into a bus full of airline passengers. The narrator then gives some of Vaughan’s background. He relates how Vaughan derived sexual pleasure from car crashes and how this eventually developed into his final destructive act. The narrator also explains that Vaughan developed car-crash scenarios with various celebrities.
The narrator then goes back to explain how he became involved with Vaughan and why he understands the latter’s obsession. The story begins with the narrator describing a car crash involving himself, a chemical engineer, and the engineer’s wife, Dr. Helen Remington. Helen’s husband dies instantly, and the narrator’s legs are injured severely. During his recovery, the narrator begins to be sexually aroused when he thinks about the accident. Catherine, the narrator’s wife, begins to take a renewed romantic interest in her husband after the crash.
After he is released from the hospital, the narrator becomes sexually involved with Helen. In a sign of his growing fascination with car crashes, the narrator finds that he cannot have successful intercourse unless he is in a car. During one of his sexual liaisons with Helen, the narrator becomes aware that Vaughan has been watching them and taking pictures of their encounters. The relationship between Helen and the narrator soon begins to cool, but the latter’s association with Vaughan has only begun.
The narrator soon learns more about Vaughan. He discovers that Vaughan is obsessed with car crashes and has taken numerous pictures of accidents. Vaughan has photographs that chronicle accidents and the recovery of victims. He also has created a survey that asks people to create a fantasy car crash involving political figures or other celebrities. The narrator also learns that Vaughan is obsessed with Elizabeth Taylor; Vaughan dreams of dying in an accident with the actress and has an entire room of photographs of her.
The narrator’s association with Vaughan continues to grow throughout the rest of the book. At one point, he watches Vaughan have sexual intercourse with Catherine in the back of his car. The narrator eventually comes to share Vaughan’s fascination with accidents and connects sexual pleasure to crashes. Vaughan’s obsession with Taylor grows until he kills himself in an attempt to crash a car into the actress’ limousine. After his death, Vaughan’s influence upon the narrator becomes even more clear as the narrator begins to plan his own crash.