Materialism
When writing this novel, Georges Perec was trying to make a statement about the ever-changing culture of France in the 1960's. Like most other western nations, France adopted mass production and globalization, which allowed the country an abundance of things for lower prices. Things became a way to express oneself or to show others your role in society. Because things became associated with wealth and power, Jerome and Sylvie wanted more of them. They moved to another country in search of ways to buy more things, and, with determination, they were successful. But, upon realizing that there are just so many things in the world, they began to grow tired to them. And, with nothing else to get excited about, they began to loose interest in the world around them.
Monotony
Jerome and Sylvie are described as basically interchangeable people - they have the same jobs, the same income, and do the same things. Perec was trying to explain that, figuratively, they are exactly the same as themselves and everyone else. Everyone seems to be on a quest to buy more things, but is that really what matters? At first, the couple was happy with their jobs, but, after doing the same thing everyday, they grew tired of it. The only reason that they were boring themselves was for more things, which would, hypothetically, keep them occupied from the bore of their workday.
