Anxious People

Anxious People

by

Fredrik Backman

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Anxious People makes teaching easy.

Anxious People: Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Jack begins his interview with a young woman named London by suggesting she sit in a chair, not on the floor. London snaps that her phone charger won’t reach that far and complains about the awful reception at the station. She continues to insult Jack, but he finally asks if she’s who was working at the bank when the bank robber came in. As she answers Jack’s questions with, “Correct,” she explains that she’s miming “perverted commas” so that if this transcript ends up on the internet, everyone will think she’s ironic instead of dumb. With prodding, London says she’s a temp employee at the bank (which is cashless), but she’s studying to be a bartender.
Though Jack and London don’t seem to be too far apart in age, they’re still having a very hard time connecting. For her part, London isn’t taking the interview seriously. This raises the question of whether London is one of the witnesses who the narrator has said isn’t telling the truth, and if her belligerence is therefore calculated. London’s attachment to her phone highlights her youth, as well as the fact that it may be her smartphone that’s keeping her from connecting with Jack.
Themes
Mental Health and Connection Theme Icon
The Modern World Theme Icon