Hobbledehoydom - “Hobbledehoydom”
Martinez writes, “I could not approach women. I tried to imagine a past filled with innumerable conquests—when in a bar, I tried to set my face like that of a man who has seen it all, done it all…I never slept with any of them. At that point I had never slept with anyone—I’d fooled around some, and was already aware that at 20 I was woefully behind the curve, and ungainly, and timid, and, worse.” Martinez describes the clumsiness which hinders from having steady heterosexual affairs. Based on his actions he does not have great experience with romance. His nervousness is evident at the age of twenty. Most of his engagements with women are mostly awkward. He gets into the affairs to meet the expectations of the manly curve. His penchant for fooling around indicates that he is not sufficiently mature to be involved in a serious affair.
Mystery-“Forsaken, The Crew Awaited News From The People Below”
Martinez explains, “They reached shore and contacted the maritime authorities. The authorities boarded the ship. They were never seen again. More authorities boarded, also never to be seen again." The authorities' inexplicable disappearance compounds the mysterious disappearance of the individuals who’d initially gone below. It is difficult to discern the explicit cause of the disappearance because none of the individuals returns from the ship’s belly. Moreover, communication with’ the people below’ is not feasible. The mystery elicits theories concerning the happenings below.
Capitalism - “After The End Of The World: A Capsule Review”
Martinez writes, “The Wal-Marts and the Gaps are still running. Why not go there? Have we lost our zest for tasteful outfits in our collective wait for judgement from some Supreme Being? Must we own wolves? And why drive souped-up cars welded from makes both domestic and imported? And why decorate them with spikes, gun turrets, and shark fins?” Martinez alludes to capitalism by mentioning ‘ Wal-Marts and Gaps’ which are epitomes of capitalism. The goods sold in the companies encourage consumerism of commodities such as trendy outfits. Moreover, the over-decoration of cars is emblematic of conspicuous consumption that stems from capitalism. Martinez poses rhetorical questions to underline the underside of consumerism.
