Perspectives

Current issues

At the time the short story was published in the collection The Informers, the collection received mixed reviews. Some critics claimed the book was too cynical and shallow, while others argued that it was a realistic account of a declining society. If you look at the story from a social perspective, you will notice that the author does not sugar-coat the reality of decadent youngsters, concerned with material comfort, or physical appearance.  

The characters in the story take comfort in sex, drugs, and alcohol to deal with a deadly disease, but they also engage in such behavior on a regular basis (not only in exceptional situations). Their emotional needs are neglected by their parents who only secure their material comfort. You may reflect on whether these aspects (parental neglect, focus on material things) are still an issue today among the young generations from the upper classes…

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Works with the same theme

For the theme of death and issues related to materialism, we recommend that you also read stories like: “The Age of Lead” by Margaret Atwood, “Popular Girls” by Karen Shepard, and “No Angel” by Bernie McGill.

“The Age of Lead” follows the thoughts and memories of a woman as she watches a TV documentary about a Victorian expedition in which the crew died of lead poisoning. Her thoughts are about a man she loved, who died because of an unknown disease. The story’s message is about how, in the search of comfort, people’s actions lead to negative consequences for humanity and the environment.

“Popular Girls” follows a group of high school girls from the upper class in Manhattan. Their concerns are only with material things and they live a decadent life of drugs, sex, and parties.

“No Angel” follows a female narrator who tries to deal with her father’s death, after her mother and brother already died. She begins seeing and talking to her father, until one day she sees all her dead family members and realizes that they are in a better place.…