Genre
An eclectic collection of essays
Setting and Context
Set in the context of the narrator's reflections
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Edifying and fascinating
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central character is Karen.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is that the new technology threatens human life instead of making life better.
Climax
The climax comes when the author moves away to an isolated island to run away from the negative effects of the advancing technology.
Foreshadowing
The end of civilization is foreshadowed by the introduction of phones that limit physical human interaction.
Understatement
The benefit of advanced technology is understated in the text. The author focuses on the negative effects of bias while ignoring the positive effects of technology which overweight the negative effects. Consequently, proper use of technology results in great benefits.
Allusions
The story alludes to the disruptive nature of advanced technology in social life.
Imagery
The imagery of the heavy fog depicts sight to readers. The author writes, "And so, on the last morning of January, I arrived in heavy fog at a spot on Masafuera called La Cuchara (The Spoon), three thousand feet above sea level."
Paradox
The main paradox is that David dies due to lethargy and desolation about the future of his novel. On the contrary, the reader expects David to be optimistic and energized.
Parallelism
The objectives of modern technology parallel the expectations of society.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Technology is personified as destructive.
