Feed by M.

T Anderson

Reduction of language

Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response

distinctive
quality

“I’m so null… we’d -Neologism (new Youths resorting to Anderson uses this distinctive quality to communicate the reduction of
been playing with three word) dangerous means when language as link states “i’m so null”. The monosyllabic neologism
uninsulated wires that -satire/pun trying to pursue conveys how individuals within society are simply bored yet Anderson
were coming out of the -Incongruency happiness/ satirises this common youth experience through this pun which also
wall” (something out of entertainment metaphorically conveys how they have no substance in their brains
the ordinary). (reduced language and intelligence). Emphasis on the mundane. People
are connected to technology 24/7 that their minds are saturated with
entertainment, thus moments without it lead to instant dissatisfaction.
Everyone can easily be bored and seek entertainment, desiring to
consume, leading to dangerous resorts to seek entertainment despite
dangers. He satirises the immaturity of teenagers when they have
nothing to keep them occupied.
Audience’s response as a result is to become more knowledgeable and
reflect on their own behaviours and consider ways to become better
citizens of society.

‘Part 2 eden’ -failure to 21st century reliance In doing this, he deviates from the proper conventions of language by
‘dead language’ capitalise on technology using incorrect syntax. Initially, the audience question such language
‘missing the feed’ -incorrect syntax features and choices, yet come to the realisation. Anderson is using his
‘night and boring’ -brevity of form to reveal our dependence upon technology, paralleling how
chapters audience within the 21st century rely on it especially for expression and
-Titus’ narration communication. Indeed, Titus in his narration becomes far more brief as
- title of chapters indicated through the brevity of chapters; he is unable to independently
think on his own and finds it jarring to be disconnected from feed as
 indicated through the chapter titled ‘boring’ and ‘missing the feed’.
The chapter ‘dead language’ clearly communicates Anderson’s criticism
upon society, showing through ‘night and boring’. The lack of proper
syntax and grammar (society’s heavy dependence on technology/feed to
express themselves, communicate and independently think).

Chapter: ‘Undervalued -convoluted Society’s ignorance Satirical commentary on society; convoluted syntax and incongruency
Truffle’ syntax and apathetic shows the lack of decorum due to his inability to express himself
“it is our duty -incongruency behaviors towards articulately. The text warns the dangers of political propaganda as US
as Americans, and as a worldly matters. attempts to manipulates the public to fulfil their own
nation dedicated to corporate/consumer agendas. In Replicating the audiences’ own
freedom and free ignorance of their political conflicts. Anderson uses the text’s distinctive
commerce…The people features, through incorrect syntax to convey the extent of humanity’s
of the United States reduced courage/intellect.
know, as I know, that Anderson uses narration of Titus to convey the public’s ignorance and
that is just plain hooey. apathy, entitling ‘undervalued truffle’. Depicting the chapter to focus
We need to remember upon the trivial, instead of the larger political concerns.
that America is the
nation of freedom, and
that freedom, my
friends, freedom does
not lesions make”.

“when the President -satire The government Anderson satirises leaders, like President Trumball, whose use of
referred to the Prime -incongruency ignoring the benefit profanity in his speech “big s…head”, exemplifies the reduction of
Minister as a ‘big s… -irony of their society and language along with the mindless compliance of the public. Anderson
head,’ what he was -use of profanity/ does this to question the authority and intelligence of political powers
trying to convey was, uh expletives the effect technology who lack education and composure, providing insight to the audience on
…referring to the sheer has on political how technology has belittled the education and critical thought of
fertilizing power of their representations→lacks society. In doing this, he invites the audience to reconsider their own
thoughts. The President integrity. failures to investigate the authority and intellect of contemporary
meant to say that the Leaders who gain leaders.
Prime popularity by using Representation of a diminished system of government are constructed
Minister’s head was outlandish and through the purposeful creation of an inept authoritative voice.
fertile, just full of these deceptive means.
nutrients where ideas
can grow. It
really was a
compliment.”

“...oral culture, written -satirical New world run by The feed delivering dictating it is a new era; society has changed by
culture, the culture of commentary consumerism heavily technology/consumption.
print — these have -juxtaposition of impacts language. New world ruled by technology/consumerism which impacts heavily on
always been considered past and present language.
the great epochs of man. -structural feature
But we have entered a -italicised font
new age. We are a new
people. It is now the age
of oneiric
culture, the culture of
dreams.”-p.149

“Go along, little child. -allusion (elois are stupidity/ laziness of Anderson portrays Violet’s father to reflect his own criticisms of
Go back and hang with a race of humans society contemporary society within the 21st century. As he dismisses Titus, he
the eloi.” p.291 who descended belittles him through the textual allusion of H.Gwell’s novel calling him
from the upper an “eloi”. In calling Titus this, Anderson through Violet’s father
class; spoke a criticises how he is unintelligent and lazy much like the rest of society.
simple language, Indeed, this highlights how humanity truly has regressed from initially
no interest in sophisticated world/society to a mindless public distracted with
education; consumption and vanity/superficial items.
apathetic)

“This is obvious! -exclamatory Violet utilises This quote further explores the fact that the youth do not care about the
Obvious! We’re playing language exclamatory language impact of their health. Anderson is making a contemporary reference to
games and our skin is to illuminate the idea the environmental issues that have already occurred although are not
falling off” that this society is giving much notice, highlighting that society is preoccupied with trivial
 oblivious to the major matters to recognise the true reality of society.
damage that is
occuring.

”you are such a a**hole -extensive use of The expensive use of The over reliance on technology has had a detrimental effect on basic
and a s**thead” expletives/profanit expletives in this quote human abilities. The loss of basic language and communication skills
ies exemplifies the have been replaced by purposeless scrolling on the feed. Thus,
breakdown and Anderson effectively portrays the breakdown of societal norms due to
degradation of the interference of technology.
language within
society.

Brainstorming contextual examples - Language

- Anderson satirises the contemporary criticisms, on the role of education, believing it to be outdated and impractical.
By constructing a revolutionised education system which focuses on pragmatic approaches, language is severely
reduced.
- Paralleling how society relies on their technological devices to auto correct their language, Anderson conveys the
overreliance on technology which has led to the reduction of language and ultimately the regression of humanity.
- Anderson’s satirical commentary on society’s dependence on the feed parallels the 21st-century‘s heavy reliance
on auto correct leading to the reduction of language as we succumb to the convenience technology brings – indeed
this powerfully reduces our language, becoming more debased. Anderson conveys the lack of proper education
which profoundly creates a society with reduced language
- Completely dependent on technology, Anderson criticises society and their failure to express themselves properly
through syntax and grammar.
- Concerned about humanity’s intellect, the reduced and limited speech our contemporary society has succumbed to
has only created a more ignorant world, creating nothing but a vicious cycle which leads to the regression of
humanity.
- Anderson questions the authority and intellect of political powers who lack education and composure. He uses
distinctive qualities to further comment how technology has belittled education/language and critical thought.
- Anderson satirically comments on society's reduced intellect as the audience’s world heavily focuses upon their
 own consumer agendas.
- Anderson satirically comments on society’s reduction of language which causes the breakdown of relationships
within a dystopian society. This parallels how individuals rely on technology (to communicate../converse/to be
entertained..) which prevents the creation of authentic relationship
 Technology
Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response
distinctive
quality

“This is the music you -italicised font Reliance on The advertisement provides information, showing how little
heard. This is the music -imperative technology leads to a independent thought is needed. Emphasising the human dependence on
you missed. This is lack of human technology is heavy. Lack of human autonomy. The ending ads with an
what’s new. Listen” pg. authenticity. imperative instruction “listen”. The line foreshadows that feed is
5 informative, instructive but also demanding. Anderson uses this
distinctive quality of italicised font to deliver the instructions through
feed. In doing this, he emphasises how human agency has begun to
diminish within his dystopian narrative. He satirises the audiences’
dependence on technology to the extent where they no longer use
technology for convenience. Consequently, the audience feel confronted
with this situation as they are uncomfortable with how close to reality it
is with their own contemporary behaviours.

“I was trying to walk -symbolism Distraction of Symbolism: humanity unable to progress or ‘walk forward’ from the
forward… Everything in -contrast advertisements and the accumulation of advertisements showing the effects of
the banners looked media from the real consumerism/technology.
goldy and sparkly. All world. Contrast: goldy/sparkly versus street with black. Beauty of technology
the air vents were versus devastation of the surrounding environment. Anderson
streaked with black” pg communicates his criticisms on the audience’s failure to address more
8 pressing concerns of reality (pollution, environmental sustainability) by
paralleling how individuals with 21st century contemporary society are
distracted by colourful ads. Society uses technology to conceal the
derelict condition of the environment.
Anderson symbolises humanity’s inability to progress or walk forward
from the accumulation of ads.

“And ther feed was -simile/metaphor Dependence upon Power of feed is overwhelming, drawing them in ecstasy from its
pouring in on us now… -satirical technology and omnipresence. Its power is intoxicating, like alcohol. By
it came down on us like (overdramatic) disconnect one’s self representing the character’s ecstasy from reconnection, Anderson
water” pg 70 from it to become reveals conflicts/satirical comments on the audiences’ dependence on
independent. technology; indeed like water is now seen as a basic necessity
essential for survival. Without it, even contemporary civilians cannot
navigate in their own worlds. Yet, invites us to question the
audiences’ own extent of reliance, encouraging us to resist the
temptation of convenience/entertainment to avoid stunting.
Individual autonomy→ become independent.

“dead Language” pg65 →he uses Human autonomy and Fails to follow proper conventions of capitalism. The irony of BASIC
“This is the language distinctive agency lost as people code, alludes to Julius Caesar’s quote “i came, i saw, i conquered).
called BASIC, it means qualities such as have lost connection Presenting a satirical paradox as Anderson skillfully blends language
‘I came, I saw, I with language which features and form to convey the ideas/conflicts of how feed/technology
conquered’” the entitled helps express has conquered individualism, thus human autonomy/agency/knowledge
chapter which themselves. has paradoxically been lost. Humanity intellectually regresses due to
fails to follow the their over reliance on technology. Indeed, one cannot deny the need of
conventions of its use to navigate around their contemporary world, yet Anderson
proper challenges…
He delivers such an idea within the entitled chapter, ‘dead language’, he
capitalisation
uses distinctive qualities to symbolise the extent of how technology has
-irony changed humanity, reducing the contemporary audiences’ ability to
-satirical paradox express themselves essentially the text challenges readers to…
-allusion

“Now that school ™ is -irony Anderson uses Titus’ character to parallel the audience’s own ignorance
run by the -Trademark (focus within the 21st century who fail to see the flaws of their society. His
corporations… it’s good on corporations) narration is heavy with irony and ignorance as within the world of Feed
because we know the -Titus’ apathy/ it is the corporations who are responsibles for the decline in society as
big corps are.. Not just ignorance their personal agenda is to increase revenue/profit despite the
jerks out for money… -characterisation environmental costs. Anderson constructs the Feed corporation within
they care about of Titus his tests to mirror many of the companies/businesses within the 21st
America’s future. It’s an century today as they are too distracted with the short term results of
investment in success that they disregard the long term ‘costs’ (environment;
tomorrow” regression of humanity- intellect/independence) of the actions.

Conformity
Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response
distinctive
quality

“She and the girls spent -motif Contest of conformity- Lesion is an area of infection/disease on the body. Lesions act as a
the rest of the hour -symbol preys upon symbol and motif suggesting the environmental degradation which
fixing Quendy’s hair to contemporary concern affects the populations’ health. Obsession with external appearance
like showcase the of external shows how superficial society has become. There is a conflict between
lesions” pg 25 appearances and desire valuing their health versus being a relevant consumer trying to consume
OR to ‘fit in’. relevant trends and be hip/current.
“stars of the Oh? Wow! Anderson creates this congruent situation to parallel the audiences’ own
Thing! had started to get concerns of prioritising their external appearances over their own health.
lesions, so now people Anderson criticises the extent of conformity the audience succumb as
were thinking better they disregard.
about lesions, and In doing this, Anderson demands the audience to reflect on their own
lesions even looked habits of conformity-to reconsider their own consumer behaviours and
kind of cool.”-p.96 reflect whether or not they jeopardise their own personal health over
fast fashion/desire to be valued/fit in. he demands for audience to better
themselves for the sake of humanity as they come to realise their actions
are becoming social conventions of the 21st century.

“ shes a monster! A -metaphor The lack of reason in Violet acts as a voice of reason warning audience of conformity and its
monster! Covered with society who are able to dangers. In doing this, anderson allows audience to question their own
cuts! Shes a creature!” - warn people of the behaviours and the behaviours of others to determine whether it is
p 202 dangers of rational.
consumerism.
“I’m not going to let -metaphor The difficulty of Violet refuses to be commodified in a consumer world. She asserts her
them catalog me. I’m resisting conformity own individualism and human agency- she defies and challenges
going to become and consumerism in conformity/consumerism. Anderson clearly uses violet as a medium to
invisible”-p 98 contemporary society. vocalise his commentary/criticisms upon society. In doing this, he
invites the audience to reconsider mindless consumerism. It encourages
us to resist. Anderson demands us to become more mindful of our
consumer habits and not take in the addiction.

“It’s all streamlining our -satire Anderson uses Violet’s character to make a satirical commentary on
personalities… figure -characterisation/ our contemporary society, criticising the measures in which
out who we are… to portrayal of people corporations resort to, to encourage rampant consumption. Indeed,
make you conform… (violet used as
for easy marketing… vehicle to the commodification of society ‘streamlines’ our purchasing habits,
making everything more communicate creating generic consumer profiles to consequently advertise
basic… so we get less Anderson’s products yet in doing this, Feed and by extension he corporations
varied as people” pg97 commentary’s) within our own society, creates a conformed society which lack
individualism, variety and essentially authenticity → not buying
what they actually want, instead they are being seduced by
marketing ads
 Consumerism
Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response
distinctive
quality

“I’m not a product I’m -italicised font Society is getting Anderson conveys through an ad, communicating his commentary
a person” pg 27 -contrast closer to this on how society will become→ cloning measures. Anderson engages
(humanity vs prevalence. the audience by skillfully blending the ideas on consumerism within
consumerism)
-irony/commodity the language features and form of his text by delivering this concept
through an advertisement within the feed as indicated by the
italicised font. In using heavy irony, Anderson through ads warns us
of consumerism.However, what Anderson does is he contrasts two
separate ideologies of humanity against
objects/consumption/commodification. Critical of the audiences’
consumer lifestyle, Anderson satirises our purchasing habits,
communicating how individuals have become walking products
themselves as they objectify themselves to fast fashion trends in
ads/social media. Through skillfully/strategically blending his form,
ideas and language features, Anderson invites us to question our own
consumer lifestyle, encouraging us to resist the temptation of
temporary fast fashion trends in order to reduce environmental
footprint/enact or assert own individual agency/avoid conformity.
Gets us to actively reflect on these tactics and distinguish clear
 boundaries (what’s right, what’s gone too far); questioning humanity.

“When the schools were -irony The media controlling Anderson shows the disregard for important skills in the role of
run by the government -satire current fast fashion education. The Nazi reign indocrinated racial superiority. However,
which sounds trends and here Anderson highlights how corporations use education to
completely like Nazi… manipulating young indoctrinate a consumer lifestyle. The irony lies within Titus’ failure to
and we do stuff in people to conform to realise that corporations exert totalitarianism control and corporate
classes about how to the rampant consumer hegemony by manipulating the consumers, encouraging rampant
work technology and lifestyle. consumption. Satirising the already criticised education system today,
how to find bargains” Anderson recreates the schools in feed to focus on ‘practical skills’
pg 109-110 instead of critical ones in favour of a pragmatic approach for their
future. With the reduced role of education in their lifestyle, the school
grooms students to be the perfect consumers instead of critical thinkers.

“I was trying to -incongruence Satirising invasive Anderson shows his frustration and commentary on the apathetic
breathe… have you -italicised font nature of ads showing behaviour of ads and the media, only trying to form and consumerist
noticed panic can lead extent of a society…
to high time underarm commodified society.
odor? Why not check
out the brag collection
to prescription-control
devices”-p 246

“I was naked. -metaphor Mindless Anderson reveals Titus’ vulnerability through his physical state
Completely naked… I -portrayal of consumption/consumer which acts as an extension of his emotional state-vulnerable and
ordered another pair… people therapy. exposed Titus is unable to function/cope thus resorts/succumbs to
pair after pair” p.293 -characterisation
mindless consumption. Anderson creates this narrative to satirically
comment upon consumer therapy and how the audience within the
contemporary world see consumerism as their comfort
zone→materialism/superficial.

“We don’t feel you -satire Critical about how More value on consumer than human. She has no reliable purchasing
would be a reliable -incongruency society values external history; consumer profile is erect, thus seen as a poor investment.
investment at this -italicised font features, hence gets Shows rejection of those who do not conform/consume.
time”-p 247 from feed rejected if not
consumed (superficial
value).

“That summer was the -Portrayal of Society’s rampant Titus can never keep up to society’s superficial demand making him
summer when all of the people consumerism to ‘fit in’ feel out of place/disoriented despite his constant conformity with
bees came of the walls” - characterisation consuming fast fashion trends. At this point, his reflection is a turning
“I kept buying these of Titus point for his character as he is finally seeing the reality of his society.
things to be cool, but -metaphor Superficial items and materialism does not always lead to satisfaction
cool was always flying and happiness is only temporary.
just ahead of me” pg Andersons’ critique on consumerism reveals how it is nothing but a
279 vicious cycle. Society’s rampant consumerism→environmental
decay/devastation.

“We Americans are -portrayal of Reluctant behaviour of Violet’s character becomes an obsolete product in society. Violet’s dad
interested only in the people people not worrying is used as a medium to convey Anderson’s criticisms. This sardonic
consumption of our -characterisation about the tone reveals how he mocks the American society over their
products. We have no of Violet’s dad environmental consumption and material obsession. Clearly, this is Anderson’s
interest in how they are devastations, only with satirical commentary; he emphasises the perspective on being an
produced… or what their purchasing informed consumer. Violet’s father is an intellectual and opposes
happens once we behaviours and feed/dependence upon technology. (however he is mocked/ ridiculed as
discard them” external appearances. he is different). Thus, his voice of reason is ignored. In creating such a
situation, Anderson replicates how society treats those who bring
forward insightful commentaries upon humanity yet are ignored as they
do not conform.

“I could see my face -italicised font- This farewell scene is followed by a sequence in which Feed recognises
crying… feeling blue? invasive nature of Titus’ emotional state and thus proposes a consumerist antidote,
Then dress blue!” technology paralleling the audience's experience of how ads invade our everyday
-contrast (human life. Anderson ends his novel with an ads from Feed, in doing this he
experiences vs powerfully portrays the idea (can change) rampant consumerism;
 technology/ad corporate hegemony; the inevitability to succumbing to ads; the all too
overwhelming power of technology… emphasising the power of…

Environment
Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response
distinctive
quality

‘Part 2 eden’ -religious Devastation of the Garden of Eden, subverts the utopian haven to a dystopia setting/world.
‘Chapter: the garden’ allusion→garden environment due to The audience experience abhorration and disoriented from such an
“The vines beat against of eden reluctant behaviour of outrageous setting. Anderson represents this in such a manner to
each other in the gray, society. provide a cautionary tale to win the audience of the conflict of
-personification
dead garden”- p 41 environmental devastation. He satirises the audiences’ ordinary situation
-title of the
our complicit behaviours contribute to…
chapter
He heavily shapes the setting to convey the devastation of the
-visual imagery
environment.

“The forest’s gone… -irony Large environmental Anderson invites the audience to question their own complicit
Jeffron Park knocked -satirical footprint and behaviours which contribute to the devastation of the environment. He
down to make an air commentary deforestation→ satirises how humanity destroys the environment for corporate agendas
factory” -p 125 paradox and economic resources within his dystopic world, “it is for air” – a
buildings for fundamental necessity. Anderson creates a paradox by having the
profit/ownership etc. society within feed destroy a National Park for an air factory to better
 humanity and the environment. Despite its absurdity, Anderson debates
the morality and ethics of cutting down forests in order to achieve the
agendas of a complicit society.

“It was a filet mignon -irony Society heading Here Anderson constructs his dystopian world to show the
farm, all of it, and the towards a completely innovative ways/conventions they would resort to all in effort to
tissue spread artificial world where consume for convenience. Indeed Anderson satirises the meat
for miles around the the natural source is no
paths …They had these longer recognised. industry depicting a setting which grows and harvests steak instead
tubes, they were of cattle→ Anderson portrays Titus' ignorance of beetroot original
bringing the tissue fourth of the item/food to parallel the audience's own ignorance. He
blood… I like to see emphasises the necessity of becoming an informed consumer. (Bad
how things are made, schooling systems→ ignorance→ consumerism/technology).
and to This setting is a clear example of the extent to which corporations
understand where they impact the environment/social conventions.
come from” p 142

“Industrial disaster. The -italicised font Ignoring Italicised font→virtual presence; virtual imprint is insignificant.
global alliance is -character font environmental Again, violet’s concerns of environmental issues remain unrested.
blaming the US”... concerns and issues Whilst the m-chat message does invade Titus’ narration, it is ignored
“things, vehicles”-p 241 and resorting to
materialistic like many of the ads which interrupt Titus’ stream of consciousness.
‘concerns’. Titus’ character is shaped to parallel the audiences own apathy to
their contemporary reality as he is too distracted with superficial
consumer desires, “things. Vehicles”.
Anderson is outraged by society's ability to speak out about
environmental concerns. Anderson uses violet’s character to voice his
concerns portraying his frustrations…concerns of own reality.
Character foil: Violet is inquisitive and concerned/Titus is ignorant and
apathetic.
Distinctive quality for Violet: m-chat, italicised font shows her virtual
presence, like the ads in her feed, her voice (of reason) is left in the
backdrop and disregarded.
 Distinctive quality for Titus: structural feature; incorrect syntax; minor
sentence and limited expression; nouns used are rague or of consumer
objects ‘vehicles’. Titus is too distracted with consumer goods to be
concerned. His dwindling intelligence is clear, unable to even form his
own sentences/grasp environmental concerns.

Apathy
Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response
distinctive
quality

“She was bombarding -characterisation/ People focusing on Audience begin to disassociate with Titus as his actions make us feel
me…I deleted all her [portrayal of external appearances uncomfortable as he is far too cold/focused on external appearances.
memories…She was people and simply not caring Anderson causes the audience to feel uncomfortable/outraged inviting
crying. It made her ugly. -incongruent about the emotions of us to question his actions and by extension, ours too.
She crossed her arms on situation→not others.
her lap. I thought how showing
ugly she was. Her one
hand was limp, like a decorum of the
flipper.”- p. 254/274 situation

“President Trumbull -parallelism People disregarding Anderson reinforces/challenges the audiences’ understanding of
spoke from the -structural feature pressing political ordinary situations by paralleling the audiences’ own apathetic attitudes
White House… She concerns/everyday to political concerns. Anderson creates the structural feature of feed to
held my hand — we issues of their world as saturate Titus’ thoughts with an invasion of arbitrary ads, splitting his
found each other’s ads and media are narration. Yet, he is unconcerned as ads are always found within the
hands” subconsciously fed backdrop of his mind; thus disregards the pressing concerns of his
into their minds. world; Anderson uses titus as a vehicle to mirror/represent the
audiences’ own behaviours… mindless of the sinister conflicts within
his world.
Titus is a perfect example of how Anderson shapes characters to create
personal connections with the audience.

“You don’t have the -second Limited voices of Violet’s voice used as a vehicle of apathetic behaviour. Her voice is a
feed! You are feed! language→ reason. voice of reason and represents herself as an antithesis of Titus.
You’re feed! You’re confronting Ignorance vs rationality. Warns audience of conformity and its dangers.
being eaten! You’re Audience feel uncomfortable as we side with Violet’s rationality.
-metaphor
raised for food! Look at Question own behaviours.
what you’ve made
yourselves!” -p 202

‘chapter : 77.8%’-p 236 -brevity of The apathetic Anderson clearly blends language features and forms to communicate
chapters behaviours of people the ideas/conflicts in which consumerism/apathy and brings. The
-one sided towards those who do brevity of chapters in 77. 8% shows Violet's one-sided conversation
conversation not conform. with Titus. Titus reflects society's disregard for violet as she does not
-rhetorical contribute as a consumer. She is perceived as an irrelevant
questions snack/obsolete product. His apathy reflects ascites apathy for those who
-Italicised font do not conform.
Structural feature of our telephone is what conveys the violence
dwindling presents in society/No longer relevant. She is nothing but a
virtual imprint much alike the many ads within the backdrop of
feed/technology which society ignores.

‘Chapter; 4.6%’ -portrayal of Once faced with loss, Titus’ emotional and intellectual awakening. Finally he has gained a
“And for the first time, i people people begin to realise newly formed understanding of himself/the world which is reflective
started to cry”-p 296- -characterisation the dangers of their through his language as he told her about the world issues.
297 of Titus behaviours.
 Breakdown in relationships

Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response

distinctive
quality

‘Part 2/chapter:father’ -irony Technology reducing Anderson highlights the vacuous (empty and emotionless) relationships
Titus is briefly visited -role reversal human interaction thus that exist among humans in futuristic dystopian society that undervalues
by his father in hospital -excessive leading to closed off emotions, feelings and genuine connections. The novel hinges on Titus’
after he had his feed profanity relationships with relationships with his friends and his family. Anderson satirises the
hacked on the moon. family/friends. oversimplification of language in this father/son exchange to highlight
The father “stares at the perversity of excessive dependence on digital communication which
Titus for a few seconds” reduces humans, ironically the adults as much as the youth, to
before remarking, “oh inarticulate and monosyllabic robots. As 21st century readers, we are
s…. Yeah I forgot. No confronted by the idiocy and simplicity of these people, noting
m-chat. Just talking.” especially the vacuous and pathetic relationships in this dystopian
When Titus enquires society.
about his mother with
“she’s like whoa, she’s
like so stressed out. This
is…dude…dude, this is
some bad sh…!”

‘Part 3/chapter:normal’ -satire Parents slowly The act of choking each other opposes the idea of creating positive and
Titus remarks -irony diverting their roles as healthy social relationships. This disrupting form of entertainment
disapprovingly that -dialogue role models and being becomes problematic because the adults are not demonstrating safe
Quendy’s parents were the cause of a moral- practices and behaviours. Quendy’s parents abandon their duty as care-
“off choking less society. givers and nurturers by engaging in near death experiences with their
somewhere. That was peers and normalising violent actions as entertainment. Anderson
when everyone was confronts us with an inversion of values and morals in a materialistic
having those choking and pleasure seeking society. The role reversal ironically shows Titus’
parties, i mean, it was growth in his calling out the asphyxiating behaviour as “midlife crisis”
completely midlife condescendingly. The lack of moral awareness and the depraved value
crisis”. system presented in this extract challenges the quality of out own
This chapter ironically relationships.
titled “normal” and we
are presented with the
action of these adults
which are atypical and
unacceptable to our
values.
Purpose/Personal voice:
- It offers a warning about our world and people’s obsession with consumerism and technological advancements as
it represents a futuristic vision where advertising and corporate gain have taken complete control over all aspects
of society.
- Anderson effectively does this to prompt thinking rather than limit it because it offers insights to how humans live
now and where humans as individuals and societies are heading
- Anderson purposefully (write what he does) to ignite a sense of responsibility to transform the ideologies of the
past/present to cultivate for the future, more utopian form of political and material environment.
- The dystopian narrative can warn readers about the possible outcomes of our present world and entails an
extrapolation.
- Anderson’s Feed is set in a dystopian world. The dystopia is a futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive
societal controls and the illusions of both perfect and imperfect society are maintained by corporate and technology
- The book explores how consumerism is dangerous to human life. Feed shows that it is a threat to human
happiness, simply because in order to keep consuming, corporations need to keep customers unhappy.
- Titus provides ongoing insights into the unrest within society but rarely dwells on it, preferring to immerse himself in
society’s dominant culture of consumerism
 - In this dystopian world, technology is portrayed as a blessing but in reality, the characters don’t see the detrimental
impact of it - overreliance on technology can result in the downfall of mankind.
- As readers we are exposed to a bleak future if our ability to communicate is rendered useless because of our over
reliance on technology, provoking us to make a positive change in our lives.
- The text forces us to consider how as the next generation working on interactive platforms, we might respond to the
constant and overwhelming demands of technology, of being online 24/7, how we shift from, as the text describes
carrying our computers and phones around us to having chips implanted.
- In doing so, it encourages us as readers to reflect on the consumer practices and to imagine the ‘what if’
implications of a world in which the tendencies dominate political and economic life.
- In doing so, it functions as a critical dystopia, implying through its imagining of a dysfunctional future how human
subjects might make ethical choices
- The text challenges the reader to engage in the discourse surrounding the invasive nature of technology and
whether we should question our complicity as consumers
- Anderson’s purpose of Feed is to engage his contemporary audience in a conversation about the invasive nature of
technology as he ultimately wants us to change our consumer habits and not become reliant on technology
- The function of the text is to provide insight from its speculative fiction to instigate change which could impact our
future.

Quote Technique/ Contextual concern Analysis+audience response

distinctive
quality

‘Part 4 Slumberland’ - Chapter Warning humanity of Within part 4 Slumberland, Anderson entitles this chapter to
“Everything must go…” titles oncoming future. symbolically convey the demise of Violet. The chapter titles, mostly
numbered percentages such as ‘52%, 77.8% and 4.6%’. Indeed,
anderson uses these distinctive qualities to convey:
- The turbulent nature of humanity. Our actions are confusing and
contrary.
- Descending % numbers from 77.8 to 52 to 4.6→ demise of
violet and by extension, the gradual regression of humanity.
 Regression of human agency; our diminishing language; our
diminishing individualism.
- To powerfully convey the extent of our world that is centred
around technology. The audience come to the realisation that
these chapter titles mirror/parallel the battery lives of our own
devices. By the end of the novel with 4.6%, Anderson
intentionally creates an uncomfortable response from the
audience as they feel frantic from the diminishing amount of
remaining power. We are confronted with the questions of; what
to do next when technology fails us; what to do when we are
disconnected; what to do when we have no power… finally he
ends his dystopian novel with “everything must go '' clearly
using this as a cautionary warning.
- Neatly combining the persuasive language of advertising with a
reference to the bridge of dreams over with violet is about to
cross, the novel he positions readers as observers of a scene for
which the narrative has prepared the way through its emphasis
on the hegemonic (The social, cultural, ideological, or economic
influence exerted by a dominant group) Power of corporations.
Faith is one of many contemporary texts that invite a critical and
participatory style of reading. In doing so, it encourages readers
to reflect on the consumerism and Neoliberal (market oriented
reform policies) politics of their own time and to imagine the
“what if” implications of a world in which these tendencies
dominate political and economic life. In doing so, it functions as
a critical dystopia, implying through its imagining of a
dysfunctional future of how human subjects might make ethical
choices.