The main social concerns of Shopgirl are the isolation of modern life (and its resulting depression) and the lack of insight men and women have in their relationships. Two of the main characters in Shopgirl, Mirabelle and Ray Porter, are both literally and figuratively isolated from others. Mirabelle lives far across the country from her family. She moved from Vermont to Los Angeles seeking excitement, and finds herself "stranded in the vast openness" of the city. Her existence consists of working as a retail clerk, drawing at home, and going out occasionally with two female friends who do not seem to like her. Mirabelle frequents bars alone and finds herself unable to make friends. She does not associate her loneliness with the depression for which she takes medication, noticing only the times when depression incapacitates her.

One of the men Mirabelle dates is Ray Porter, a...