While it may not be possible to determine Steve Martin's actual influences, a few certainties may be stated. For one, Martin's previous works have been influenced by his wide readings. Martin, who studied philosophy in college, is widely read, and knowledge of his exposure to various classics is seen in Shopgirl. For example, in comparing Lisa with Mirabelle, he told Time Magazine, "If Immanuel Kant had stumbled across this luncheon after his Beverly Hills shrink appointment, he would have quickly discerned that Lisa is all phenomena and no noumena, and that Mirabelle is all noumena and no phenomena." Similarly, Martin's film Roxanne was a modern adaptation of Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac.

So, although a precise literary precedent is not known, the reader might presume that Martin's writing is informed by his familiarity with other literary works.

Martin's theme of isolation and loneliness in modern times has...