BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:
Anderson, M.T. 2004. FEED. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763622596
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
In FEED, M.T. Anderson unfolds a strange futuristic reality where everyone has “feeds,” which are transmitters implanted in their brains that broadcast advertisements, entertainment, and information. In this troubling world, “School™” is run by the corporations, and the moon is seen as a trashed-out place where teenagers go to party. For Titus and his friends, the “feeds” are a crucial part of their social lives, and they could not imagine a world without them. However, everyone with a “feed” begins to develop unexplained lesions, and the frightening reality that the “feed” can control one’s thoughts and actions is slowly revealed to Titus after he and his friends are attacked by a “feed” protester who hijacks their “feeds” and causes them to malfunction for a few days. While Titus’s new friend Violet is waiting for her “feed” to be restored, she comes up with a plan to create a bizarre personality that will confuse her “feed” so completely that she will ultimately become invisible to it. As Titus learns more about Violet, he discovers that Violet’s “feed” may never be repaired and that she could die from the malfunctions she is experiencing. Underneath the obvious story line is a serious and deeply troubling undercurrent of what the future could hold if advertising and industry are allowed to control people’s thoughts. Written in bizarre, futuristic teenage slang language, FEED borders on confusing at the beginning as readers must get their bearings with the strange word choices. However, once readers orient themselves in the odd world of Titus and his friends, the unusual language takes on a whole new meaning as readers begin to develop a clear picture of just how strange and unsettling a future riddled with thought control and overbearing technology really could be. Readers will identify with Titus as a typical teenager, but Violet’s rebellious and intelligent nature will really draw them into the story. As Violet’s situation becomes increasingly dire, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats wanting to know what will happen next. FEED is an excellent science fiction novel that poses some deep and troubling questions about the future.
CONNECTIONS:
M.T. Anderson says that he read magazines geared towards teenagers and even eavesdropped on conversations in malls to get ideas for the language used throughout FEED. The word choice used throughout FEED is significant to the story line. Ask students to speculate as to why they think Anderson chose to use such strange language throughout the story.
Ask students to contemplate what types of information would be broadcast through “feeds” if the technology existed today. Would this be a good thing or a bad thing?
In FEED, Titus’ character is somewhat sympathetic to Violet’s plight, but he is also apathetic during much of Violet’s troubles. Why do you think Titus is often apathetic and uninvolved? What factors might have affected his behavior during these times?
If students enjoy Anderson’s writing, share this NPR article with them on Anderson: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6525913, where he discusses where his writing ideas come from and shares some of his favorite lines from his stories.
REVIEWS AND AWARDS:
From AMAZON.COM:
“This brilliantly ironic satire is set in a future world where television and computers are connected directly into people's brains when they are babies. The result is a chillingly recognizable consumer society where empty-headed kids are driven by fashion and shopping and the avid pursuit of silly entertainment--even on trips to Mars and the moon--and by constant customized murmurs in their brains of encouragement to buy, buy, buy. Although there is a danger that at first teens may see the idea of brain-computers as cool, ultimately they will recognize this as a fascinating novel that says something important about their world.”
“This brilliantly ironic satire is set in a future world where television and computers are connected directly into people's brains when they are babies. The result is a chillingly recognizable consumer society where empty-headed kids are driven by fashion and shopping and the avid pursuit of silly entertainment--even on trips to Mars and the moon--and by constant customized murmurs in their brains of encouragement to buy, buy, buy. Although there is a danger that at first teens may see the idea of brain-computers as cool, ultimately they will recognize this as a fascinating novel that says something important about their world.”
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (2002):
“Titus proves a believably flawed hero, and ultimately the novel's greatest strength lies in his denial of and uncomfortable awakening to the truth. This satire offers a thought-provoking and scathing indictment that may prod readers to examine the more sinister possibilities of corporate- and media-dominated culture.”
“Titus proves a believably flawed hero, and ultimately the novel's greatest strength lies in his denial of and uncomfortable awakening to the truth. This satire offers a thought-provoking and scathing indictment that may prod readers to examine the more sinister possibilities of corporate- and media-dominated culture.”
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2002):
“Anderson gives his characters a unique language that teens will relate to, but much of it is raw and crude. Young people will also appreciate the consumeristic lifestyle and television shows that are satirized in the book. Violet and her father are the only truly sympathetic characters. The other teens are portrayed as thoughtless, selfish, and not always likable. Only Titus learns anything from his mistakes and tries to be a little less self-centered. A gripping, intriguing, and unique cautionary novel.”
“Anderson gives his characters a unique language that teens will relate to, but much of it is raw and crude. Young people will also appreciate the consumeristic lifestyle and television shows that are satirized in the book. Violet and her father are the only truly sympathetic characters. The other teens are portrayed as thoughtless, selfish, and not always likable. Only Titus learns anything from his mistakes and tries to be a little less self-centered. A gripping, intriguing, and unique cautionary novel.”
Wilson’s Senior High School
National Book Award Finalist
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner
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