How does the story, Carpenter's Gothic, depict the deterioration of society?

The most notable social aspect of Carpenter's Gothic is its all-encompass-ing depiction of the deterioration of society. There is no fully realized love in the novel. Nothing very positive happens to any of its characters. Even everyday activities seem to be hazardous and doomed to failure: objects are constantly knocked over, no good news comes over the radio or television, food is repeatedly burned, cars and trucks break down, clocks and newspapers provide information which proves to be false.