Degenerative Culture

The overarching and dominant theme that permeates every chapter of Ellen Hopkins' novel Tricks is that of degenerative culture. The novel takes place in the United States, and examines the darker side of American culture which glorifies deviant behavior, such as underage activities, sexual indiscretion and substance abuse.

Degenerative culture can be seen immediately in the underage activity that teenagers engage in, from smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, to engaging in sexual relations. Whitney, for example, is fifteen years old when she becomes sexually active, below the age of consent for most states in the country. Eden is sixteen when she begins sexual activity, though in Idaho, she is two years under the age of consent. Ginger, Seth, and Alex both engage in drinking alcohol when they are years under the age of alcohol use.

Degenerative culture is also seen in the sexual indiscretion of most characters...