Across books · Theme
Modernity and Technology
The novel emphasizes the impact of modern technology—skyscrapers, subways, ferries, telephones, and cars—as both awe-inspiring and oppressive, shaping human experience and accelerating the pace of life.
Modernity and Technology appears as a literary theme in 3 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.
The novel emphasizes the impact of modern technology—skyscrapers, subways, ferries, telephones, and cars—as both awe-inspiring and oppressive, shaping human experience and accelerating the pace of life.
References to electric lighting, telegraphs, newspapers, and evolving criminal methods reflect a society in transition, where new technologies both aid crime prevention and create new vulnerabilities, and where criminals adapt to modern tools.
The story incorporates contemporary innovations like the wireless telegraph and automobiles, using them as tools for both crime and detection, reflecting early 20th-century fascination with technological progress.
In each book3 titles
manhattan_transfer_se
The novel emphasizes the impact of modern technology—skyscrapers, subways, ferries, telephones, and cars—as both awe-inspiring and oppressive, shaping human experience and accelerating the pace of life.
Open theme guide →
the_experiences_of_loveday_brooke_lady_detective_se
References to electric lighting, telegraphs, newspapers, and evolving criminal methods reflect a society in transition, where new technologies both aid crime prevention and create new vulnerabilities, and where criminals
Open theme guide →
the_extraordinary_adventures_of_ars_ne_lupin_gen_se
The story incorporates contemporary innovations like the wireless telegraph and automobiles, using them as tools for both crime and detection, reflecting early 20th-century fascination with technological progress.
Open theme guide →