Perspectives

This part of the study guide will give you a broader perspective on Sarah Butler's short story “Number 40” by linking it to literary period and similar works.…

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Literary period

“Number 40” is a postmodernist short story. Postmodernism defines the literary period from ca. the end of World War II to present day. Firstly, the story is postmodernist through its theme and social setting— it explores feelings of alienation and loss caused by the postmodern society we live in.

Secondly, the story is also structured and conveyed using pos…

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Works with the same theme

For the theme of alienation in postmodern society, we recommend the stories “Dead as They Come” by Ian McEwan and “Baglady” by A. S. Byatt.

In “Dead as They Come”, the author explores emotional alienation and materialism by presenting the relation…