Essay Questions

What is the definition of a consumer product, according to Jonathan Franzen?

The critical aspect of a consumer product is likability. For instance, the author argues that most consumer products, such as electronics, are designed to be liked and admired. The author says, "The striking thing about the consumer products is that they are designed to be immensely likable.” The manufacturers of the consumer products are always on the lookout of what the clients need. Tastes and preferences of customers keep on changing. Therefore, most companies have heavily invested in research and product development to ensure that their products are likable in the market.

How does the author relate to David's death to his circumstances?

The author notes that David's death's primary cause was boredom and despair from his future novels. After finishing his novel project, the author feels sad, bored, and desperate. He argues that the main reason for his boredom could be him breaking his promise. He says, "The desperate edge to my recent boredom: might this be related to my having broken a promise to myself?" He concludes that his feelings of despair are related to David's anger, but he vows not to commit suicide.

How does the author use the literary device personification in his academic work?

Personification is a technique used in literature when an object is given human abilities. The narrator provides the aluminum cup the ability to sit on a rock when he says, "As I came back to my fire after dinner this afternoon there was a moment when I felt my aluminum cup a friend, sitting in a rock, considering me…” In this case, the aluminum cup has been personified and the reader assumes that it is human because of its given ability to sit on a rock.