The power of language and the language of power in M. T. Anderson’s Feed and Gary Stheyngart’s Super Sad True Love Story. A comparative analysis

The aim of my dissertation is to analyze how selected elements of language are addressed in two contemporary dystopias, Feed by M. T. Anderson (2002) and Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart (2010). I chose these two novels because language plays a key role in both of them: both are primarily focused on the pervasiveness of technology, and on how the use/abuse of technology affects language in all its forms. In particular, I examine four key aspects of language: books, literacy, diary writing, as well as oral language. In order to analyze how the aforementioned elements of language are dealt with in Feed and Super Sad True Love Story, I consider how the same aspects of language are presented in a sample of classical dystopias selected as benchmarks: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (1921), Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932), Animal Farm (1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1952), and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1986). In this way, I look at how language, books, literacy, and diaries are dealt with in Anderson’s Feed and in Shteyngart’s Super Sad True Love Story, both in comparison with the classical dystopias as well as with one another. This allows for an analysis of the similarities, as well as the differences, between the two novels. The comparative analysis carried out also takes into account the fact that the two contemporary dystopias have different target audiences: one is for young adults (Feed), whereas the other is for adults (Super Sad True Love Story). Consequently, I also consider whether further differences related to target readers affect differences in how language is dealt with. Preliminary findings indicate that, despite their different target audiences, the linguistic elements considered are addressed in the two novels in similar ways.

The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with copious marginal references : also, the introductions to all the books and chapters in the Bible : with the general preface, as affixed to the commentary of Thomas Scott.

New Testament has special t.p.: The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ : with copious marginal references by Thomas Scott.

The tourist's pocket book : containing useful words and simple phrases in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, ... and Hungarian. Medical and surgical hints; cypher code for telegrams and post cards; blank forms of washing lists ... to facilitate the sayings and doings of British and American travellers /

Mode of access: Internet.

The book-lover's enchiridion; thoughts on the solace and companionship of books,

Mode of access: Internet.

Bibliotheca mexicana: or, A catalogue of the library of rare books and important manuscripts relating to Mexico and other parts of Spanish America, formed by the late Señor Don José Fernando Ramirez ...days of sale ...July [7-9, 12-13, 1880] ...sold ...by Puttick and Simpson ...

Mode of access: Internet.

A catalogue of an extensive collection of books in English and foreign theology; arranged alphabetically, with a classified index of subjects ...

Mode of access: Internet.

Catalogue of books for a pastor's library.

Mode of access: Internet.

Auction prices of books;

"In making this selection it has been the aim to include every important book (selling above the limit of price) in the following broad classes: 1. Books printed in England, or books in the English language printed abroad ... 2. Americana, in its broadest sense ... 3. Books printed ... in the various countries in Continental Europe before 1520 ..."

Catalogue of the books in the circulating library ...

Vol. 2 includes additions from the publication of v. 1, 1889 to 1896; v. 3, additions between January, 1896 and July 1904.

Books and bookmen ...

Mode of access: Internet.