Themes and message

The main themes explored in the short story “To Feed the Night” by Philip Hensher are materialism and greed, and the emptiness of relationships. Through the theme of materialism and greed, the author does not only criticises the two fictional characters but the whole society of the 198os, particularly in England. The central message is that, although people strive to gain material possessions, they do not make people happy and they mean nothing in the end, as we are all equal in death.

Materialism and greed

This theme is illustrated by the two spouses, particularly by the husband. The man’s greed is triggered when one of his friends comments upon his new apartment and calls it “cosy” (l. 23). For him, the adjective is too...

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The emptiness of relationships

As we have previously stated, the materialistic behaviour that the two spouses display functions as a cover for the emptiness of their relationship. The husband and the wife do not communicate properly;

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