Perspectives

Literary period

Published in 2010, Miguel Syjuco’s short story “Be Here Now” is a contemporary piece of fiction that falls into the category of Postmodernism.

Postmodernism is a broad term used to describe the literary period starting with the 1960s and continuing today. Some of its features include the preference for a first-person narrator, avoiding traditional plot structure, and exploring contemporary themes. “Be Here Now” fits all these traits. It has a first person narrator, it is set in a contemporary timeline and explores media issues, and it lacks traditional plot elements such as a clear rising action and a climax.

Works with the same theme

“iAnna” by Will Self is a story that focuses on alienation in the form of mental delusion by following two doctors who are studying the case of a woman who believes the world is an iPad. The story is similar to “Be Here Now” because they both explore the larger topic of modern media and technology and their possible negative effects. Both main characters also feel alienated, but in different ways. iAnna is too connected to technology, while the narrator in “Be Here Now” feels alienated after returning from a war zone.

“Bangana” by CJ Hauser follows a female drone pilot, who flies drones over Afghanistan from the US. The story explores the woman’s attempts to reconcile her identities: as a woman, a pilot, and a mother. Like the woman, the narrator in “Be Here Now” also struggles to reconcile seeing death and war zones with his peaceful and carefree life with his fiancée.