Do we work to live or live to work? The rapid economic development the world experienced through the 20th century, with the productivity that skyrocketed have resulted in our economic success. However, this economic success has birthed a new society defined by consumerism. We constantly consume whether its food, entertainment, or social media content. We have idols, we follow, and presumably they are all living fantastic lives which makes us yearn for more. So even despite having more than ever, we keep chasing more than ever. Everyone is trying to realize themselves often through materialistic pursuits but what is the phycological side effect? Mental health issues as stress or anxiety, have become much more prevalent in our societies, at least in the western world. The short story “the useless” released in 2002 by Hal Niedzviecki treats the theme of ongoing focus on productivity as a significant measure in society. The intention of this essay is to analyze and interpret the text with a focus on setting, the narrator, theme, and the message.
The setting in the short story unfolds mostly in an artistic environment, without a specific given location. To begin with we are at the awards show and afterwards at the event for artists. The artistic setting symbolizes prestige and the pursuit of success in art. Despite much of the story unfolds in a closed art community, there is also his home environment, which symbolizes comfort. In his home he can open up himself and feel comfortable, as he does when he burns his art seemingly out of frustration. Comfort from politics, cause throughout the story there is also a political appearance. The television shows political debates and the opposition leader that argues and puts his points forward about the useless. The useless are seemingly defined by the leader as the ones who are unemployed and unproductive for the society. but the political aspect is also present when the mayor is at the awards, where the protagonist comes empty home.
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