Perspectives

Literary period

The short story “The Third Dumpster” by Gish Jen was first published in 2013 and features postmodern characteristics. The postmodernist literary movement experienced a rise in the post-World War II era and gained popularity throughout the late 20th century. Postmodernism is still a popular literary style used by many authors today.

Postmodernist works can be recognised through themes, context, and narrative techniques. The story shows many traits which are common to 21st-century literary works. For example, the text has a social setting which refers to contemporary issues in American society, such as exploitation and immigration. It has political, social, and philosophical nuances, as it raises questions about modern health hazards. The theme deals with complex familial relationships and cultural differences, themes often encountered in postmodernist works.

The story also relies on earlier literary styles and techniques, following a classic narrative structure with a clear and definite beginning...