The primary theme of Shaun Tan's Cicada profoundly explores the grim realities of corporate drudgery and the often-unseen struggles within white-collar workplaces. It presents a poignant look at the quiet despair and unacknowledged burdens faced by individuals, even those who appear to be merely "doing their job."
Core Themes Explored
At its heart, the narrative portrays an insect protagonist diligently working in an office environment, completely unloved and unnoticed by those around him. This simple premise serves as a powerful metaphor for the broader human experience within the modern corporate landscape. The central theme revolves around:
- The Unspoken Horrors of Corporate White-Collar Enslavement: This directly addresses the emotional and psychological toll that monotonous, unappreciated, and often soul-crushing office work can take. It highlights the feeling of being trapped in a system that extracts labor without offering genuine recognition or care.
- Alienation and Isolation: The cicada's experience of being unloved and disregarded by its human colleagues underscores the profound sense of isolation that can pervade hierarchical and impersonal work settings.
- Monotony and Drudgery: The repetitive nature of the cicada's tasks reflects the mind-numbing routine that many white-collar employees endure, leading to a loss of personal identity and joy.
- Dehumanization: Despite being an insect, the cicada's plight mirrors the dehumanizing aspects of corporate culture, where individuals are often reduced to their productivity metrics rather than valued for their inherent worth.
- The Hidden Inner World: The story subtly hints at the deeper, often inscrutable thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. The phrase, "You never can tell what a bug is thinking," suggests that there's always more to an individual's experience than what is visible on the surface, implying a rich, complex internal life hidden beneath a seemingly mundane existence. This invites readers to consider the unseen emotional landscapes of those around them.
Interpreting the "Unspoken Horrors"
The concept of "unspoken horrors" refers to the emotional and psychological distress that often goes unacknowledged in professional settings. These are not overt acts of cruelty but rather systemic issues that erode well-being over time.
To illustrate, consider the dichotomy between external perception and internal reality:
| Aspect of Work Life | Surface Level (Perceived by Others) | Deeper Reality (Unspoken Horror) |
|---|---|---|
| Employee's Role | Performs duties diligently | Feels exploited and trapped |
| Work Environment | Appears orderly and productive | Is alienating and stifling |
| Interactions | Professional and transactional | Lacks genuine human connection |
| Emotional State | Stoic, compliant | Experiences profound loneliness and weariness |
The Role of the Protagonist
The choice of a cicada, an insect known for its long, subterranean larval stage before a brief emergence, is highly symbolic. It can be interpreted as a metaphor for an individual enduring a prolonged period of unseen struggle or "enslavement" within their work life, perhaps hinting at an eventual, though perhaps bittersweet, transformation or release. The insect's smallness in a large office also emphasizes its insignificance within the corporate hierarchy, making its silent suffering even more poignant.
