Perspectives

In what follows, we will give you a few extra points to help you put the text “How Not to Be Alone” by Jonathan Safran Foer in a wider perspectiv…

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Current issues

Foer’s essay was published in 2013 and continues to be relevant for society as it deals with the influence modern communication technologies have on people’s capacity for empathy and social interactions. For example, consider that Foer mentions that “Technology celebrates connectedness, but encourages retreat.” (ll. 38-40). If you reflect on the influence of social media today and on studies that show how social media can make us f…

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Thematic and textual perspective

In your analysis, you can consider comparing the essay with other fiction or non-fiction texts that share similar themes. For example, the short story “iAnna” by Will Self explores the topic of alienation caused by digital technologies. The story follows two doctors treating a woman who believes the world is a phone display.

Unlike “How Not to Be Alone”, “iAnna” is a fictional text. However, both texts share certain techniques such as the invention of new words – iDistr…